iPhone 3G discontinued in Oz as report backs third-gen rumors

[AppleInsider]

One of Apple's authorized wireless carriers said this week that the high-end iPhone 3G has been end-of-lifed. Meanwhile, a new report appears to be backing rumors of several features due in next-gen models expected to arrive shortly.

MacTalk is reporting that Vodafone Australia -- one of three iPhone providers in the region -- sent out an advisor (below) to its retail staffers this week noting that the 16GB iPhone 3G has been marked as “End of Life” (or discontinued) by its distributor Brightpoint.

"We have just been notified that the following devices are End Of Life and that there is only a few weeks stock available from Brightpoint," the carrier said, adding that Nokia's 6121 is also on the way out. "This is an opportunity to take advantage of these devices whilst they're still available."

Meanwhile, Apple blogger John Gruber on Thursday weighed in with his expectations for the upcoming generation of iPhones, in which he cited sources who essentially corroborate most of the recent rumors surrounding the new models.

First and foremost, he backs a report first discovered by AppleInsider on a Chinese mobile forum in which an insider claimed that this year's iPhones will see their processor upgraded from 400MHz to 600MHz, have their RAM doubled to 256MB, and sport little if any exterior changes.

Also accurate, according to Gruber's sources, are plans for the handsets to include a magnetometer (digital compass), higher-resolution camera with auto focus and video recording, as well as software for basic video editing (trimming).



Per expectations, he believes the 8GB offering will fade away in favor of new 16GB and 32GB models that will be offered at the existing $199 and $299 price points with a two-year AT&T service contract.

Gruber also threw out some less reliable rumors he's heard, such as Apple rebranding all of its aluminum MacBooks as MacBook Pros, leaving the "MacBook" moniker for only its plastic models. He also claims to have picked up on some chatter about an "iPhone Mini” about 3/4ths the size of the current iPhone.

AppleInsider isn't sure what to make of these last couple of rumors but publishes them for interest's sake.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[tundraboy]

Rebranding aluminum MacBook: MacBook Pro without a firewire port? I have my doubts. Unless they decide to bring back the firewire port.

[Kasper]

Originally Posted by tundraboy

Rebranding aluminum MacBook: MacBook Pro without a firewire port? I have my doubts. Unless they decide to bring back the firewire port.

It's more than that. The graphics subsystem is different. The displays are of inferior quality. Rumor doesn't make sense but stranger things have happened...

K

[charlituna]

what I love is that it is highly possible that all these carriers signed a contract to keep their mouths shut about what they are told and yet they are leaking things left and right. some of them may find (assuming any of this to be true and I think in this case it could be more true than false) their contracts being cut for breach and someone else getting the gold. oops.

[merdhead]

So much guff lately that falls into the category of the "bleedingly obvious". Apple has said that they would refresh the iPhone once a year around June, so not suprising it's being EOL'ed. They bought a company that designs low power processors and then its somehow news that they might actually be producing them and using them in their products. Updates to hardware and software that bring iPhones up to date with every other high end phone on the market.

Next news flash: "New iPhone to Make Calls!"

People who follow Apple and iPhones should get out more.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by Kasper

It's more than that. The graphics subsystem is different. The displays are of inferior quality. Rumor doesn't make sense but stranger things have happened...

K

There is some evidence that Apple has starting using much better, MBA-like panels in MB’s over the last month. They are using a different model number that doesn’t match the current MBA but the anecdotal evidence is that when compared to the MBA they are indistinguishable and when compared to the older unibody MBs obviously better.

If Apple decides to go the route of the 17” MBP by removing the battery and HDD panel they could increase the battery size while also allowing for more ports along the left edge of the machine. I would think that at least a FW800 and another USB port could added.

if they made me happy and removed the optical drive they could easily add a discrete GPU, but that is just a pipe dream i can’t shake.

[mark2005]

Originally Posted by tundraboy

Rebranding aluminum MacBook: MacBook Pro without a firewire port? I have my doubts. Unless they decide to bring back the firewire port.

Maybe the next aluminum MacBook upgrade gets "pro" improvements, with no change in pricing or CPU. And because of the recession and the education market, maybe new white MacBook models are released at $899 (slower) and $1099 (faster).

[merdhead]

Originally Posted by Kasper

It's more than that. The graphics subsystem is different. The displays are of inferior quality. Rumor doesn't make sense but stranger things have happened...

K

Yes, small technical differences that are only interest to niche customers make a huge difference to most people.

I know you're a genius, but most people look at the fact that one MacBook has a metal case and conclude it must be a pro. Unless you think they're all digging up the specs of each machine and actually know that Intel graphics are integrated and the others are discrete and understand that the integrated ones tend to be slower, or they can tell the difference between screens outside of a controlled environment.

[merdhead]

Originally Posted by tundraboy

Rebranding aluminum MacBook: MacBook Pro without a firewire port? I have my doubts. Unless they decide to bring back the firewire port.

You're right. There's actually a law in California saying you're not allowed to name your laptops "Pro" unless they have a FireWire port.

[merdhead]

Originally Posted by mark2005

Maybe the next aluminum MacBook upgrade gets "pro" improvements, with no change in pricing or CPU. And because of the recession and the education market, maybe new white MacBook models are released at $899 (slower) and $1099 (faster).

The main difference in Pro models is the price.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by mark2005

...maybe new white MacBook models are released at $899 (slower) and $1099 (faster).

You have to call them better and best because people are fooled by such silly marketing terms.

Originally Posted by merdhead

You're right. There's actually a law in California saying you're not allowed to name your laptops "Pro" unless they have a FireWire port.

[mark2005]

Originally Posted by merdhead

The main difference in Pro models is the price.

The change in naming would allow Apple to advertise that MacBook Pros start at $1299, instead of the current $1999.

That would sound relatively cheap for a "pro."

[Fairly]

Slash Lane - that's a great name, Dilbert! LMAO

[dizzy13]

One thing gruber wasn't betting highly on was improved battery life, but I have to disagree on that one. Apple is very concerned about battery life, the whole reason for them working on this push system. Also, the new MacBook Pro has the non removable battery which gives about 1.5 times the battery life.

I would expect the iPhone battery life to be improved by at least 1.5x by either a better battery or through less power demanding chips and screen...or both. Here's to hoping!

[Orangeoutsider]

… take this stuff way to seriouly. Other than being fun to speculate, this stuff is really not very important.

[hill60]

Apparantly T-Mobile in Austria had a mysterious placeholder on their website for an iPhone 32GB...

...just as mysteriously it disappeared again a short while later.

[mark2005]

Originally Posted by Orangeoutsider

… take this stuff way to seriouly. Other than being fun to speculate, this stuff is really not very important.

True, but it's quite possible that Apple itself is leaking information to drown out Pre buzz.

Speed on par with and more memory than any Pre. Video, compass - things Pre doesn't have yet (as far as I was told by a Pre fanatic).

[anantksundaram]

If true, it's all good!

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by solipsism

There is some evidence that Apple has starting using much better, MBA-like panels in MB’s over the last month. They are using a different model number that doesn’t match the current MBA but the anecdotal evidence is that when compared to the MBA they are indistinguishable and when compared to the older unibody MBs obviously better.

NO way Apple would have made that change unannounced. More rumour than evidence.
Link please- who's eyes?

[ajmas]

Hmm, this may get confusing the 3G iPhone versus the 3G iPhone, where one refers to GSM 3G and the other to the third generation iPhone. I suppose something to watch out for in advertising media.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by ajmas

Hmm, this may get confusing the 3G iPhone versus the 3G iPhone, where one refers to GSM 3G and the other to the third generation iPhone. I suppose something to watch out for in advertising media.

There is speculation on this. The best guess I've heard is iPhone Video, since it will have a video recorder, better camera and most likely the ability to play and output 720p video.

[vercordio]

Originally Posted by solipsism

There is speculation on this. The best guess I've heard is iPhone Video, since it will have a video recorder, better camera and most likely the ability to play and output 720p video.

I'm not at all supporting this rumor, but it'd certainly be easier if they split the iPhone line into two different formfactors. Then you could have the iPhone Pro and the iPhone Mini (or whatever). Subsequent models could keep the same naming convention, since they wouldn't be linked to a version number (or anything resembling one).

[amort]

Originally Posted by solipsism

There is speculation on this. The best guess I've heard is iPhone Video, since it will have a video recorder, better camera and most likely the ability to play and output 720p video.

I think it would sound a bit odd, since a lot of mobile phones had video capabilities for years!

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by amort

I think it would sound a bit odd, since a lot of mobile phones had video capabilities for years!

iPhone HD?
iPhone 3Gv2?
iPhone 3.5G?



They have to name it something else to optimize marketing.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by amort

I think it would sound a bit odd, since a lot of mobile phones had video capabilities for years!

iPhoneMMS- <yawn>

[vercordio]

Originally Posted by amort

I think it would sound a bit odd, since a lot of mobile phones had video capabilities for years!

The iPhone 3G wasn't the first 3G phone, though, and no one cared. It'd be the first video phone for Apple, and honestly I think that's all that would matter (if they went with iPhone Video).

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by merdhead

You're right. There's actually a law in California saying you're not allowed to name your laptops "Pro" unless they have a FireWire port.

Yes - the lack of firewire combined with the lack of a Matte screen would make the Pro title read ridiculous.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by vercordio

The iPhone 3G wasn't the first 3G phone, though, and no one cared. It'd be the first video phone for Apple, and honestly I think that's all that would matter (if they went with iPhone Video).

I got it. By your reasoning it should be called:

The iPhone CUT&PASTE!

or iPhoneCP for short

[mstone]

Originally Posted by teckstud

iPhoneMMS- <yawn>

Actually I don't think so because isn't even my lowly Edge iPhone to be getting MMS with the new software. ... and I was rather impressed with your posts this morning up until now they were actually making sense and somewhat reasonable.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by mstone

Actually I don't think so because isn't even my lowly Edge iPhone to be getting MMS with the new software. ... and I was rather impressed with your posts this morning up until now they were actually making sense and somewhat reasonable.

ok then- iPhonecompASS

Right- and APPle is going to market iPhone to corporations and businesses with the tile iPhoneVideo
And what makes you so sure when you upgrade to 3.0 you can't record video?

BTW- Sorry you'll have to pay for your software upgrade on your lowly Edge.

[vercordio]

Originally Posted by teckstud

And what makes you so sure when you upgrade to 3.0 you can't record video?

That's a completely valid point. It was my understanding that people running jailbroken iPhone 3Gs can, right now, record video (or something like video) using the built-in camera. I understand hardware changes for autofocus and whatnot, but does the hardware really need to change for video?

Video could be one of those features (like the App Store) that will be announced with new hardware but be available on all platforms.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by mstone

Actually I don't think so because isn't even my lowly Edge iPhone to be getting MMS with the new software. ... and I was rather impressed with your posts this morning up until now they were actually making sense and somewhat reasonable.

The original iPhone won't be getting MMS and I dint think MMS will function on iPhones with 3G when they are on EDGE or GPRS. Though MMS was first designed for WCDMA we know that it works well without it. The only reason I can think of for Apple doing this is to allow for for extra large and different file types with their setup. We'll have to see. We know the exclusion is artificial we just don't know why.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by vercordio

That's a completely valid point. It was my understanding that people running jailbroken iPhone 3Gs can, right now, record video (or something like video) using the built-in camera. I understand hardware changes for autofocus and whatnot, but does the hardware really need to change for video?

Video could be one of those features (like the App Store) that will be announced with new hardware but be available on all platforms.

There have been a lot of excuses, debates on Megapixels, you name it, here at AI blaming the present camera for not having video when it reality it has always been a lacking feature in the OS itself. The stubborn koolaid brigade here simply refuses to aknowledge anything where Apple could seem at fault. So instead they blame the camera.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by vercordio

That's a completely valid point. It was my understanding that people running jailbroken iPhone 3Gs can, right now, record video (or something like video) using the built-in camera. I understand hardware changes for autofocus and whatnot, but does the hardware really need to change for video?

Video could be one of those features (like the App Store) that will be announced with new hardware but be available on all platforms.

No, he's not being reasonable. There will be no video in the first iPhones. Check out the YouTube videos, it's quite poor in every regard. It just doesn't have the HW yet for decent video. The camera is not the issue, it's the CPU and mostly the low RAM.

Per his typical misinformation mission he is resorting to lies to spread his FUD. The original iPhone will be getting the update for free.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by solipsism

No, he's not being reasonable. There will be no video in the first iPhones. Check out the YouTube videos, it's quite poor in every regard. It just doesn't have the HW yet for decent video.

Video no matter how poor or grainy or this or that is guess what:
VIDEO!

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Per his typical misinformation mission he is resorting to lies to spread his FUD. The original iPhone will be getting the update for free.

Nu FUD just misunderstanding. I thought Sarbanes Oxley only worked on the iPhone for 2 years- the life of its contract. Can you please provide a link to your post?

[Rokken]

Originally Posted by hill60

Apparantly T-Mobile in Austria had a mysterious placeholder on their website for an iPhone 32GB...

...just as mysteriously it disappeared again a short while later.

yeah.. T-Mobile has a good tradition of "accidentally" slipping such information regarding to Apple's new product. Last time it was new MacBook if I am not mistaken, which turned out to be true. Too bad they didn't "accidentally" slip any photo of the new iPhone this time.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Video no matter how poor or grainy or this or that is guess what:
VIDEO!

Is this your brilliant deduction redux that if can play video so it should be able to record video just as easily and/or you theory that Apple should include poor running features just because it's technically possible, like how the iPhone can technically play 720p video and Apple should allow it even if it's choppy and only 12fps?

[vercordio]

Originally Posted by solipsism

No, he's not being reasonable. There will be no video in the first iPhones. Check out the YouTube videos, it's quite poor in every regard. It just doesn't have the HW yet for decent video. The camera is not the issue, it's the CPU and mostly the low RAM.

Oh well, that's what I get for trying to extend the olive branch :-P

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by vercordio

Oh well, that's what I get for trying to extend the olive branch :-P

I tried the olive branch, I tried the learning tree, now all I have left is the hickory switch.