Apple rumored to be evaluating 3 new iPhone prototypes, one with slideout keyboard - Page 2

Originally Posted by SSquirrel

10th prototype that only interfaces with the controller for Steel Batallion

Originally Posted by hismastersvoice

I just read on macrumors theres an ninth prototype that boots off cassette.

Originally Posted by NotScott

The iPHONE SHUFFLE will randomly send text messages to your contacts.

Wait, that's Android.

Originally Posted by appleinsider

a taiwanese website that has been the source of numerous apple hardware leaks now claims that apple has built three hardware prototypes for its next-generation iphone, including one model with a slide-out physical keyboard.

Originally Posted by bobrk

A 6th prototype had a rotary dial.

Originally Posted by wizard69

My understanding is that Apple may actually go through dozens of prototypes and design iterations to come up with the final product. That really shouldn't be a surprise either. The assumption here though is that these are further along than normal lab prototypes, more like production tests units. Or maybe the translation is messing with my mind.

What doesn't mess with my mind is this idea of an iPhone with a keyboard. I think it is a very real possibility. Why? It is pretty simple really, such a keyboard provides for a larger screen or view port while entering text. Such a device makes for far easier text entry and more importantly far better editing. There is nothing more frustrating than seeing those little auto correct errors after you send out a message.

More importantly the slide out keyboard doesn't have to be the fixed function device we have seen on other phones. Instead it could be a slide out LCD touch screen of sorts. This would allow Apple to continue to have one device for world wide distribution due to the nature of a soft keyboard. It would be well worth a few bucks extra at the check out counter, especially for people using their iPhones a lot for text entry. In effect you get a much larger screen in the same form factor. The issue then becomes how do you do such a keyboard without making the iPhone FAT.

Originally Posted by VanFruniken

Given how fast one can type on an iPhone keyboard it seems extremely unlikely that Apple would spend any energy on such a project.

Originally Posted by wizard69

You seem to want to equate an outdated piece of technology with something that is still very much in common use. Worst you seem to think that any design Apple comes up with will be modeled on current approaches. Frankly I'd rather expect that Apple would continue to innovate here. It doesn't take a lot of effort to imagine Apple putting a spin on a slide out keyboard that would be a big win for heavy iPhone users. Done right it keeps iPhone compact while expanding usable screen real-estate. That is no joking matter.

Originally Posted by zindako

Slide out keyboard? What crap is that, what, did Apple start walking backwards or something?

Originally Posted by kevt

however good Apple make the iPhone in itself, it will not be 'the best' if market-share dwindles to such an extent that developers switch from iOS and prioritise Android. A computer is only as good as the Applications running on it.

Apple has no choice but to go after marketshare, and this means more models. They have begun to do this.

(1) 2nd model of iPhone just introduced. CMDA to overcome the first hurdle, 'the carrier hurdle', and open all markets to the iPhone. (This despite the compromise on one of Apple's most touted features: simultaneous voice and data use).

(2) A lower cost, lower spec, slightly smaller version. The rumoured iPhone nano to overcome 'the cost hurdle'. imo Apple will produce one this year to compete at lower price points.

(3) After these two, the next most obvious hurdle to people buying an iPhone is form factor. I don't doubt that Apple thinks an on-screen keyboard is best, and I agree with them. But people are different, and some prefer a tactile, physical keyboard. If it will remove that hurdle then give it to them - produce a slide out keyboard version. Obviously 'as well as' not 'instead of' the current format.


I don't think a Nano or a Keyboard model is half as unlikely as some are making out.

Originally Posted by pika2000

The keyboard slide out is obviously either mis-information or an old pre-original-iPhone rumor. The next iPhone "5" will definitely carry the same design as the iPhone 4. With production of the CDMA iPhone 4 being fairly recent, I doubt Apple would want to switch gear for a completely new design, again. That's expensive and inefficient, considering even the iPhone 4 is still selling out in some countries.

The wild card is the so-called iPhone mini/nano. I think it's more fun speculating about this as it's an unknown.

Originally Posted by kevt

Things have changed this last year with the phenomenal growth of Android which Apple cannot ignore.

They can't sit back content to be holding THE best top end phone, at best profit. Their single model (+last years discounted) will not cut it in the face of such diverse competition.

Because, however good Apple make the iPhone in itself, it will not be 'the best' if market-share dwindles to such an extent that developers switch from iOS and prioritise Android. A computer is only as good as the Applications running on it.

Apple has no choice but to go after marketshare, and this means more models. They have begun to do this.

(1) 2nd model of iPhone just introduced. CMDA to overcome the first hurdle, 'the carrier hurdle', and open all markets to the iPhone. (This despite the compromise on one of Apple's most touted features: simultaneous voice and data use).

(2) A lower cost, lower spec, slightly smaller version. The rumoured iPhone nano to overcome 'the cost hurdle'. imo Apple will produce one this year to compete at lower price points.

(3) After these two, the next most obvious hurdle to people buying an iPhone is form factor. I don't doubt that Apple thinks an on-screen keyboard is best, and I agree with them. But people are different, and some prefer a tactile, physical keyboard. If it will remove that hurdle then give it to them - produce a slide out keyboard version. Obviously 'as well as' not 'instead of' the current format.


I don't think a Nano or a Keyboard model is half as unlikely as some are making out.

Originally Posted by OnePotato

Adobe Flash will make it's debut on the iPhone 5.

Originally Posted by bigpics

I imagine 20-30% of potential customers (not all your aunt or grandma, but many business users, writers, etc.) much prefer a physical keyboard. My virtual KB experience is limited, but I know I do.

20-30% of the phone market is, btw, 200-300 MILLION units/year. Why leave all of that for Android and the also rans?

Originally Posted by HahaHaha321

Was alcohol involved during that site's posting?

Originally Posted by christopher126

I'm loving the TomTom GPS, but if that was on the iPad-Problem solved! I never use the video cam on my iPhone.

Originally Posted by nextstep

I think they will introduce a slide-out keyboard BUT not for the iPhone. I think the rumored higher resolution iPad 3 will actually be a MacBook with a touchscreen, slide-out keyboard, retina display and OS X Lion.

Originally Posted by spliff monkey

Just wanted to mention that Navigon is a "plus" app and as such runs on both iphone and ipad. That might have been one of the reasons I purchased that instead of Tom Tom and I have to admit that after using it for a couple of weeks that I am really enjoying GPS on my ipad. It works equally well on both devices, but the huge screen really makes it easy. Believe it or not on working on a mount for my ipad in my car. ( I now, sad) If you're curious about Navigon overall, the only thing I have to compare it too is my my garmin Nuvi and I like the iphone/ ipad navigon app better. I did have to purchase a nice head unit to make up for the lack of hands free calling, but I wanted one anyway.

My only complaint is that the volume coming out of the phone directly is too low for the highway unless you're riding in a Merc or something with similar cabin noise characteristics. So make sure you connect it to your stereo.

Originally Posted by wizard69

What doesn't mess with my mind is this idea of an iPhone with a keyboard. I think it is a very real possibility. Why? It is pretty simple really, such a keyboard provides for a larger screen or view port while entering text. Such a device makes for far easier text entry and more importantly far better editing. There is nothing more frustrating than seeing those little auto correct errors after you send out a message.

More importantly the slide out keyboard doesn't have to be the fixed function device we have seen on other phones. Instead it could be a slide out LCD touch screen of sorts. This would allow Apple to continue to have one device for world wide distribution due to the nature of a soft keyboard. It would be well worth a few bucks extra at the check out counter, especially for people using their iPhones a lot for text entry. In effect you get a much larger screen in the same form factor. The issue then becomes how do you do such a keyboard without making the iPhone FAT.

Originally Posted by kevt

Things have changed this last year with the phenomenal growth of Android which Apple cannot ignore.

They can't sit back content to be holding THE best top end phone, at best profit. Their single model (+last years discounted) will not cut it in the face of such diverse competition.

<snip>

I don't think a Nano or a Keyboard model is half as unlikely as some are making out.

Originally Posted by xsu

lower cost, lower spec, 1/3 smaller screen phone contribute little to the iOS ecosystem. If the potential buyer of this phone is so cost consious that he/she won't buy unless it's close to free with contract, then how likely are they at spending money to buy apps?

Prosperity of the ecosystem depends on developers, and developers go where the money is. The number of phones Apple sells isn't really important, it's how many buyers want to buy content that's really the key.

Unless Apple figured out some really cool ways to make small screen work with the apps, I don't see it happenning.

Originally Posted by bmxdmb134

I support many "low end" users that barely can use a keyboard and they have no issues on the iphone touch screen.

Originally Posted by penchanted

I agree. People keep saying Apple won't do something because they have never done that before.

Originally Posted by christopher126

Good to know thanks, Spliff!

Originally Posted by penchanted

Although this is not identified in the article but a slide-out physical keyboard might be the appropriate choice for a smaller, lower-cost phone.

Originally Posted by liuping

Navigon is a great Nav App (I have almost all of them, and it's the only one I use regularly)

Watch for sales. It was only $30 last weekend. I bet is goes on sale for president's day weekend as well.

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil

Originally Posted by xsu

lower cost, lower spec, 1/3 smaller screen phone contribute little to the iOS ecosystem. If the potential buyer of this phone is so cost consious that he/she won't buy unless it's close to free with contract, then how likely are they at spending money to buy apps?

Prosperity of the ecosystem depends on developers, and developers go where the money is. The number of phones Apple sells isn't really important, it's how many buyers want to buy content that's really the key.

Unless Apple figured out some really cool ways to make small screen work with the apps, I don't see it happenning.