New shuffle, cheaper iPhone and MacBooks seen in 2009

[AppleInsider]

FBR Capital Markets said Wednesday that it believes that Apple is gearing up to release several new products during the first half of 2009, including a new version of the iPod shuffle and cheaper versions of its flagship iPhone and MacBook offerings.

"Our contacts see a lower-cost version of the iPhone, possibly in mid [second quarter]," analyst Craig Berger wrote in a research report to clients. "Apparently, Qualcomm is replacing Infineon as the baseband supplier in this device. Some call this device the 'iPhone Nano'; whatever one calls it, we believe this device is on its way."

The analyst also anticipates the release of two other low-cost products from the Cupertino-based company by the time summer rolls around. The first, he said, is a "new and smaller version" of the iPod Shuffle that may appear some time during the first quarter. The other devices is a "cheaper MacBook," though the analyst does not believe the new model will qualify as a netbook.

Berger, who sports a questionable track record with his Apple-related predictions, added in his report that his contacts indicate that fourth quarter iPhone production fell 53 percent sequentially, which is "worse than last month's check of down 48 percent sequentially."

"Note that we do not believe our quarterly production build volume comparisons are highly correlated with actual sales of these devices by Apple," he said. "Instead, we like to track this data for a directional/momentum read into chip suppliers [...] and to ascertain whether supply chain restocking needs to occur."

Therefore, the analyst said its possible that consumers could have purchased a theoretical maximum of 10 million iPhones during the soon-to-end fourth quarter of 2008, assuming Apple sold through its inventory of more than 2 million devices that remained in its channel at the end of the third quarter.

Separately, AppleInsider has picked up on some chatter of a new iPod shuffle that would be incredibly flat and shaped similar to a credit card with just enough thickness for a headphone jack at one end. However, AppleInsider has been unable to confirm these reports with any degree of certainty. As such, readers should treat this information as nothing more than a rumor.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[jarroyo1031]

This is sweet!! I would like to see an update to the iphone 3G though

[lepton]

A smaller shuffle? Yikes! But I could see a shuffle with a display on one side and the buttons on the back, which you'd press while looking at the display.

Or how about this, the iPod Shuffle Touch. All screen on the front, five transparent touch sensitive spots and they show the wheel on screen and you use it as usual, but now you can circle around the ring, it can show names and playlists, and the album cover while its playing a song! That's my prediction! And for my detailed prediction for the Apple NetPad, see my blog http://myallo.com/blog

[MacTel]

I just bought a Shuffle and don't see any benefit of making it smaller. The clip has to remain and if the buttons get moved or get any smaller then my fat fingers won't keep up.

It would be nice to have a small display on it though that would tell you simple things like the current song info and the next song in line. The display isn't necessary though.

[cygnusrk727]

Originally Posted by lepton

A smaller shuffle? Yikes!

Exactly. My Shuffle was so small I forgot about it my pants pocket where it got throughly washed and done for.

[alpha10711]

What we need is not a cheaper iPhone, but a cheaper iPhone PLAN! AT&T's rates are too high. If the iPhone were available through more than one vendor, and they had to compete against each other with the cost of their plans, then we might see something that would actually benefit the consumer.

[Ireland]

New shuffle in 2009? Wow this guy is amazing,

[Kevzaz]

Wow, I am amped to see the price drops in the Macbook Series! =D
I think Apple is getting their head's outa their asses by lowering the prices a bit.

[macxpress]

What we need is a Verizon based iPhone 3G. You want to see iPhone sales skyrocket...there ya go! I don't mind AT&T, but its service is nothing compared to what Verizon offers, especially its 3G network.

I know it won't happen...but one could only hope!

I agree that Apple needs to lower its prices across the board. Enough with this make 40% profit (or whatever it is) off every product sold crap. These are hard times and I think it would be nice if Apple gave its customers a break. Its not like Apple is struggling for money these days, nor will it be in 2009 or 2010.

[ajneuman]

Originally Posted by alpha10711

What we need is not a cheaper iPhone, but a cheaper iPhone PLAN! AT&T's rates are too high. If the iPhone were available through more than one vendor, and they had to compete against each other with the cost of their plans, then we might see something that would actually benefit the consumer.

You must not shop around for other wireless data plans because all of the US carriers are charging $30 for smartphone data plans. Verizon is now requiring a data plan for all smartphones where AT&T only require it with the iPhone.

[cygnusrk727]

Originally Posted by Kevzaz

Wow, I am amped to see the price drops in the Macbook Series! =D
I think Apple is getting their head's outa their asses by lowering the prices a bit.

It is nice to see but expect some major hobbling of some sort to differentiate it from the regularly priced Macbooks.

[roehlstation]

Sorry, but I doubt it, if it goes down any it might be $100 less.

[OriginalMacRat]

Originally Posted by ajneuman

You must not shop around for other wireless data plans because all of the US carriers are charging $30 for smartphone data plans.

T-Mobile data&messaging is $15.

Add that to their lowest voice plan of $30 comes out to $45.

[Mr Macintosh]

Originally Posted by macxpress

What we need is a Verizon based iPhone 3G. You want to see iPhone sales skyrocket...there ya go! I don't mind AT&T, but its service is nothing compared to what Verizon offers, especially its 3G network.

I know it won't happen...but one could only hope!

Your absolutely right! A Version iPhone would be the ticket. AT&T needs to dry up and wither away. The oldest Monopoly in existence and they are only staying alive by buying up everything they can to stay in business because they have treated their customers so bad in the past via land lines. Now since the move to cell phones AT&T sees that they are missing out on the phone business because people want good phone service without the high prices associated with them, i.e. US long distance with out long distance prices. AT&T buys up cell phone carriers in attempts to maintain this monopoly they have and and still offering poor service and increasing their cell phone prices in order to compensate for the massive loss of land line customers.

I am not saying that there should only be one, two or three carriers but what I am saying is that there needs to be more than there are now so that there will be competition amongst them in order that the customer has a good choice and fair prices.

I think one of the biggest problems that AT&T has made is over saturation of their own 3G network without having the proper infrastructure in place. Of course this is only an opinion but it seems to be plausible.

There are my two cents for the day. You do not have to agree because it is only one persons opinion...

Good Day...

[Kevzaz]

Still, 100 off is better than nothing. It would make me happier, and one step closer to getting a Macbook. And yes, The iPhone REALLY needs to come to verizon....

[mstone]

Originally Posted by Mr Macintosh

Your absolutely right! A Version iPhone would be the ticket. AT&T needs to dry up and wither away. The oldest Monopoly in existence and they are only staying alive by buying up everything they can to stay in business because they have treated their customers so bad in the past via land lines. Now since the move to cell phones AT&T sees that they are missing out on the phone business because people want good phone service without the high prices associated with them, i.e. US long distance with out long distance prices. AT&T buys up cell phone carriers in attempts to maintain this monopoly they have and and still offering poor service and increasing their cell phone prices in order to compensate for the massive loss of land line customers.

Many people make the mistake of assuming that the current AT&T company is the old 'Ma Bell' when in fact it is just a name. if you look into the actual history of acquisitions you will discover that it is SBC (Southwestern Bell) which has acquired the original 'Baby Bells' and the old AT&T (which was only a long distance company at the time) and then assumed the AT&T name and (T) ticker symbol.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by Ireland

New shuffle in 2009? Wow this guy is amazing,

Only thing I'd like to see them do to the shuffle is waterproof it so I can take it underwater or into the rain. I still love the clip on aspect of it.

[Walter Slocombe]

Never saw myself as a laptop user, but if Apple release something cheaper, I might spring for my 3rd Mac, the Quadcore iMac would make 4

[cygnusrk727]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

Only thing I'd like to see them do to the shuffle is waterproof it so I can take it underwater or into the rain.

Or accidentally into the wash like I did.

[Felix01]

RE: "As such, readers should treat this information as nothing more than a rumor."

Imagine that...what am I reading now, "Apple Rumors" or "AppleInsider?"

[iReality85]

Originally Posted by macxpress

What we need is a Verizon based iPhone 3G. You want to see iPhone sales skyrocket... there ya go! I don't mind AT&T, but its service is nothing compared to what Verizon offers, especially its 3G network.

I totally, absolutely, completely agree with every word. Besides, I need to replace my beaten and battered LG clam phone... been holding out for something great.

Also, I work for a telco infrastructure provider, and from the figures I've seen, I can say for sure Verizon Wireless (Verizon is actually a separate company) has been spending boat loads more on beefing up/extending their 3G network (and preping its next-gen network!) than AT&T has been. Verizon Wireless = win/win for Apple all the way around.

[amerist]

Originally Posted by macxpress

What we need is a Verizon based iPhone 3G. You want to see iPhone sales skyrocket...there ya go! I don't mind AT&T, but its service is nothing compared to what Verizon offers, especially its 3G network.

I know it won't happen...but one could only hope!

Totally agreed!

I used to carry around a Motorola V710 and a Palm Zire 72 and an iPod. Then the treo 650 came out and I was down to just the treo and the ipod. I was Verizon customer for five years before my boss gave me an iphone for work. I wasn't about to turn it down. I cancelled my Verizon service when the contract expired.

I enjoy carrying around one device instead of 2 or 3. I don't like that I drop calls sitting in my cubicle at work or in the supermarket because GSM signals have undeniably wimpy structure penetration.

This new partnership with Qualcomm provides the possibility of a CDMA version of the iPhone, since Qualcomm makes CDMA radios. And that means that A verizon partnership will be "more likely".

I know that AT&T has an exclusive right to sell the iPhone in the U.S. for 5 years then it's up for re-negotiation with other partners. If apple and Verizon could both bury the hatchet, I'm sure that both companies would find that it is a mutually profitable move that would have people flocking back to Verizon in droves, and dumping their treos, blackberries and iPhone lookalikes for an iPhone. I know that my entire company would not hesitate at the chance to ditch At&t for better wireless coverage.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by amerist

Totally agreed!

I used to carry around a Motorola V710 and a Palm Zire 72 and an iPod. Then the treo 650 came out and I was down to just the treo and the ipod. I was Verizon customer for five years before my boss gave me an iphone for work. I wasn't about to turn it down. I cancelled my Verizon service when the contract expired.

I enjoy carrying around one device instead of 2 or 3. I don't like that I drop calls sitting in my cubicle at work or in the supermarket because GSM signals have undeniably wimpy structure penetration.

This new partnership with Qualcomm provides the possibility of a CDMA version of the iPhone, since Qualcomm makes CDMA radios. And that means that A verizon partnership will be "more likely".

I know that AT&T has an exclusive right to sell the iPhone in the U.S. for 5 years then it's up for re-negotiation with other partners. If apple and Verizon could both bury the hatchet, I'm sure that both companies would find that it is a mutually profitable move that would have people flocking back to Verizon in droves, and dumping their treos, blackberries and iPhone lookalikes for an iPhone. I know that my entire company would not hesitate at the chance to ditch At&t for better wireless coverage.

The at&t deal has been one of the most boneheaded moves on Apple's part for many moons. Five years is an eternity for phone owners. Gaaaaah!

[iVlad]

Shuffle is still gonna have clipping feature, just very tiny.

I can't see new MacBook Mini, or Nano. That's just not Apple. Apple will keep everything simple and easy to choose. Having 3 macbooks is enough already.

What Apple needs is an Apple Portable or NetBook That will make perfect connection between iPhone and MacBook.

[roehlstation]

Originally Posted by cygnusrk727

Or accidentally into the wash like I did.

Mine went through 3 times before it died. Not bad really.

[Johnny Mozzarella]

Originally Posted by macxpress

What we need is a Verizon based iPhone 3G. You want to see iPhone sales skyrocket...there ya go! I don't mind AT&T, but its service is nothing compared to what Verizon offers, especially its 3G network.

I know it won't happen...but one could only hope!

I agree that Apple needs to lower its prices across the board. Enough with this make 40% profit (or whatever it is) off every product sold crap. These are hard times and I think it would be nice if Apple gave its customers a break. Its not like Apple is struggling for money these days, nor will it be in 2009 or 2010.

Steve Jobs offered the iPhone to Verizon and they flat out rejected it.
Unless you want an iPhone that is even more crippled by Verizon it isn't going to happen.
I prefer having Apple decide whats on the iPhone rather than the carrier.

[Johnny Mozzarella]

Originally Posted by iVlad

...What Apple needs is an Apple Portable or NetBook That will make perfect connection between iPhone and MacBook.

They should call it the iBook!

[samab]

Originally Posted by alpha10711

What we need is not a cheaper iPhone, but a cheaper iPhone PLAN! AT&T's rates are too high. If the iPhone were available through more than one vendor, and they had to compete against each other with the cost of their plans, then we might see something that would actually benefit the consumer.

Your theory has been definitively shot down by looking at the pricing of iphones in countries where there are multilple carriers selling right now --- i.e. Italy, Australia,...

Italy's carriers have been pricing the iphone hardware pretty much the same (zero price competition) and their iphone plans start with idiotic 250 MB per month data allowance.

[samab]

Originally Posted by mstone

Many people make the mistake of assuming that the current AT&T company is the old 'Ma Bell' when in fact it is just a name. if you look into the actual history of acquisitions you will discover that it is SBC (Southwestern Bell) which has acquired the original 'Baby Bells' and the old AT&T (which was only a long distance company at the time) and then assumed the AT&T name and (T) ticker symbol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6nuwQmhrZ8

[cygnusrk727]

Originally Posted by roehlstation

Mine went through 3 times before it died. Not bad really.

Nice. My white gum stick shuffle went through the wash and still works. Don't know my newer one couldn't have made it.

[samab]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

Steve Jobs offered the iPhone to Verizon and they flat out rejected it.
Unless you want an iPhone that is even more crippled by Verizon it isn't going to happen.
I prefer having Apple decide whats on the iPhone rather than the carrier.

Verizon doesn't cripple their smartphones.

[macxpress]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

Steve Jobs offered the iPhone to Verizon and they flat out rejected it.
Unless you want an iPhone that is even more crippled by Verizon it isn't going to happen.
I prefer having Apple decide whats on the iPhone rather than the carrier.

I know Apple went to Verizon pretty much first when they were playing around with the idea of a phone. I think its a safe bet that Verizon denied Apple's requst simply because Verizon loves to have total control over their devices. (Which I why I HATE Verizon phones!) Apple loves to have control over their devices. But I think with some effort the two could have agreed upon something. This is exactly what Steve Jobs is extremely good at IMO.

If Apple really wants to succeed with its iPhone it really needs to expand its phone to a better carrier, and AT&T and T-Mobile aren't it. Its Verizon, plain and simple!

[Tofino]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

The at&t deal has been one of the most boneheaded moves on Apple's part for many moons. Five years is an eternity for phone owners. Gaaaaah!

did the 5 year number actually get confirmed anywhere?

[mstone]

Originally Posted by samab

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6nuwQmhrZ8

That's a pretty funny take on the AT&T name. Personally I don't see what all the fuss about AT&T is. I get excellent customer service from them (Pacific Bell > SBC > at&t) for all of our home, wireless, and business services. I had Verizon perviously and they were excellent as well. Although I think at&t signal strength could be improved a bit around Orange County, CA, however the places I generally frequent are quite adequate now - except inside some concrete and steel commercial buildings it is still a bit iffy.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

Only thing I'd like to see them do to the shuffle is waterproof it so I can take it underwater or into the rain. I still love the clip on aspect of it.

Isn't that a money earner for them? Replacing stuff at full cost. The shuffle will get more storage, and possibly a tiny info display of some sort.

[mstone]

Originally Posted by macxpress

If Apple really wants to succeed with its iPhone it really needs to expand its phone to a better carrier, and AT&T and T-Mobile aren't it. Its Verizon, plain and simple!

Except Verizon isn't GSM and Apple wanted to build just one phone that could be used in 90% of the world.

[inkswamp]

Originally Posted by alpha10711

What we need is not a cheaper iPhone, but a cheaper iPhone PLAN! AT&T's rates are too high. If the iPhone were available through more than one vendor, and they had to compete against each other with the cost of their plans, then we might see something that would actually benefit the consumer.

Couldn't agree more! I'm lucky in that my employer supplies me with an iPhone free of charge for work purposes, but if I didn't have it that way, I wouldn't have one. The phone itself is amazing, no argument there, but when I saw the pricing for the plans, I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. There's just no rationale behind that. Even the cheapest plan without text is still crazy expensive.

Originally Posted by ajneuman

You must not shop around for other wireless data plans because all of the US carriers are charging $30 for smartphone data plans. Verizon is now requiring a data plan for all smartphones where AT&T only require it with the iPhone.

What others are doing/charging is no excuse for the company that likes to think different.

[ALBIM]

I'm in the verizon boat, and hope the iPhone comes soon. However, verizon has a history of castrating phones from wifi so that people run up their data plans.

[NasserAE]

Originally Posted by OriginalMacRat

T-Mobile data&messaging is $15.

Add that to their lowest voice plan of $30 comes out to $45.

AT&T have a $15/month data plan as well. However, I cannot find any reference if it is GPRS, EDGE, or 3G or if there is a monthly traffic limit on both AT&T and T-Mobile cheaper plans.

[Mac31]

I loathe Verizon. I'm extremely happy we dumped them in July for our iPhones after 10 years of crap. They crippled my phone usage so incredibly much, it was insane. Now we get reception with AT&T we never got with Verizon. Plus, I can create ringtones for myself without paying Verizon $2.99 for a song with my favourite part edited out. That's a waste of my money. I'd try to hook it up to my Mac and use Sync, and it still wouldn't allow me to do anything with it.

Good riddance to Verizon and their shitty customer service and no bluetooth usage outside of a headset. What's the point of bluetooth if I can't sync it with my computer and put files/ringtones on my phone?