Why does AT&T need to get these phones to test? Apple can test to see if their phones are working properly or not. They might have asked for AT&T's help because they had no prior experience in cellular technology at the time, but I can't image them just giving AT&T a bunch of phones and hoping they don't into the enemy's hands, though we are talking about 6 months between announcement and release so there isn't much that needs to be hidden, while this new phone still hasn't been announced.
I'm pretty sure there will be a policy change coming out of this.
AT&T and every major carrier has to field test the phones and devices they will be selling on their network. Apple probably wouldn't be given a choice in the matter, though they could undoubtably use their clout to influence or control how that testing is carried out. Before the original iPhone was released, Apple didn't have this same clout, so if AT&T had to have the units for testing, then Apple wasn't in a position to refuse. AT&T VP of something or the other stated at launch of the original iphone that they had been field testing units in all manner of locations for 'months' before launch. So, I guess at least 2 months.
At this point in time, AT&T probably still requires test devices before launch, but Apple probably has much more ability to control how, where, when and by whom. Doesn't eliminate AT&T's need to test them, but they are no longer in the driver seat for things like this.
One policy change almost certain: no drinking while testing.
AT&T and every major carrier has to field test the phones and devices they will be selling on their network. Apple probably wouldn't be given a choice in the matter, though they could undoubtably use their clout to influence or control how that testing is carried out. Before the original iPhone was released, Apple didn't have this same clout, so if AT&T had to have the units for testing, then Apple wasn't in a position to refuse. AT&T VP of something or the other stated at launch of the original iphone that they had been field testing units in all manner of locations for 'months' before launch. So, I guess at least 2 months.
At this point in time, AT&T probably still requires test devices before launch, but Apple probably has much more ability to control how, where, when and by whom. Doesn't eliminate AT&T's need to test them, but they are no longer in the driver seat for things like this.
One policy change almost certain: no drinking while testing.
I'm going to need some sort of proof of this. I just can't imagine AT&T employees are sitting on dozens of next generation iPhones that are being used all over the country before Apple has officially announced them.
I'm going to need some sort of proof of this. I just can't imagine AT&T employees are sitting on dozens of next generation iPhones that are being used all over the country before Apple has officially announced them.
USAToday article from the launch of the original. I suppose it isn't really proof, but likely as close as we are going to get without video and sworn statements.
From the article, AT&T had 200 field testers using them for 10 weeks (admittedly, it was before launch but well after the announcement)
USAToday article from the launch of the original. I suppose it isn't really proof, but likely as close as we are going to get without video and sworn statements.
From the article, AT&T had 200 field testers using them for 10 weeks (admittedly, it was before launch but well after the announcement)
Apple's first phone and that would have been 3.5 months after the announcement, assuming the field testers used it right up until the launch date. If AT&T gets them before an official announcement I doubt it would be free floating. Just look at how the iPad was locked down with a few select publishers even after the announcement.
I just listened to an audio conversation between Andy Ihnatko, Dan Benjamin and MacGruber about the incident. One of them stated that they believe that Apple's policy is to take it out for a few hours to do specific tests, not to just use as your regular phone for days or weeks on end. They also stated that they thing the engineer isn't in much trouble, that it was an "honest" mistake, but this could be Apple holding off any decisions (like suing Gizmodo) until after they make an announcement because to fire the mention the device at this point would just validate the stories. Best to ignore it publicly while working to make sure this doesn't happen again.
Apple's first phone and that would have been 3.5 months after the announcement, assuming the field testers used it right up until the launch date. If AT&T gets them before an official announcement I doubt it would be free floating. Just look at how the iPad was locked down with a few select publishers even after the announcement.
The original iPhone was announced months before launch (6 or 7?). Since then, they haven't given as large a lead between announcement and launch of the new hardware.
The iPad is a different beast. Yes, the 3G version would have to be certified by the carriers, but then with those models being delayed they do have some extra weeks. Maybe that even explains part of the delay with the 3G version...they withheld units from AT&T for longer, so as to better keep it a secret before the common announcement. Once it was announced, AT&T would then have the weeks the needed to test the 3G version.
With most Apple products, Apple and Apple alone decides who gets what and when (other than the FCC, I guess). With the carrier supported devices, they cannot make these decisions alone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism
I just listened to an audio conversation between Andy Ihnatko, Dan Benjamin and MacGruber about the incident. One of them stated that they believe that Apple's policy is to take it out for a few hours to do specific tests, not to just use as your regular phone for days or weeks on end. They also stated that they thing the engineer isn't in much trouble, that it was an "honest" mistake, but this could be Apple holding off any decisions (like suing Gizmodo) until after they make an announcement because to fire the mention the device at this point would just validate the stories. Best to ignore it publicly while working to make sure this doesn't happen again.
So, he broke protocol, lost a prototype as a result and it is a honest mistake? I think their assumptions about why Apple is being so quite and 'nice' about it are fair.
I'm not arguing with the suggestion that break on top might be for an IR transceiver. I hope it is - it would certainly be a useful hardware addition.
Likewise I'm not suggesting that the existence of 2 breaks in any way means that the unit will be user "openable". In fact I think that's highly unlikely.
My theory is that the breaks in the casing are filled with rubber and serve as shock-absorbers in case of the phone being dropped.
This case has zero plastic. Just rigid metal and rigid glass. Dropping it would be painful.
The addition of some compressible material in the shell would absorb the energy of a fall onto a hard surface.
My theory is that the breaks in the casing are filled with rubber and serve as shock-absorbers in case of the phone being dropped.
This case has zero plastic. Just rigid metal and rigid glass. Dropping it would be painful.
The addition of some compressible material in the shell would absorb the energy of a fall onto a hard surface.
Thats my theory anyhow!
C.
I agree... those slits are positioned perfectly for shock absorption. By having 3 slits, every corner of the phone is protected from that. If the aluminum frame was solid it would have the effect of compressing when dropped, which would push on the glass. There also appears to be a rubber border going around the edges of the glass.
Another reason is thermal expansion. I'll bet that thing can heat up. Aluminum expands 2x as much as steel at any given temperature.
With hardware packed that tight, thermal expansion could be an issue.
OK, in another post I said I hated this design but now that I'm seeing it in this post side-by-side with the 3GS and from different angles, it's growing on me.
I don't care what it looks like, if it doesn't play Blu-Ray, I'm not buying it. All the phones made by PC companies do (eMachines, HP, Dell, Alienware, etc.).
I don't care what it looks like, if it doesn't play Blu-Ray, I'm not buying it. All the phones made by PC companies do (eMachines, HP, Dell, Alienware, etc.).
I tend to agree. The number of people entrusted with one of these, let alone entrusted to take one off the Apple campus likely numbers in the single digits. Double digits tops.
And it's not like these folks don't understand or appreciate the significance of what they're carrying around. In other words, the chances of it legitimately being forgotten somewhere are next to nil.
I think this is a plant by Apple to soothe the savage beast of the media horde, ws analysts, etc.
Totally agree this is another strange twist in the saga of Apple deliberate leaks, though don't think to "sooth" is their intention! They've sent the tech media into a frenzy and the story has been big in mainstream news too. Something about the new design seems very un-Apple though. Despite it being thinner, the squarish design actually makes it look fatter and less sexy. I wouldn't be surprised if the final case more closely mirrors the previous units. There's simply no way Jobs or Ive would approve of a design with gaps and breaks in the surface like the Gizmodo phone has.
Also gotta hand it to Gizmodo for making the big-time!!! Not bad for an Aussie tech site!
Totally agree this is another strange twist in the saga of Apple deliberate leaks, though don't think to "sooth" is their intention! They've sent the tech media into a frenzy and the story has been big in mainstream news too. Something about the new design seems very un-Apple though. Despite it being thinner, the squarish design actually makes it look fatter and less sexy. I wouldn't be surprised if the final case more closely mirrors the previous units. There's simply no way Jobs or Ive would approve of a design with gaps and breaks in the surface like the Gizmodo phone has.
Apple planning this seems like a foolish move in every way.
Its quite obvious that APPLE enjoys playing this marketing game with us as much as we enjoy reading this stuff. GO APPLE, IT's a marketing game that gets more attention than anything else
Comments
Why does AT&T need to get these phones to test? Apple can test to see if their phones are working properly or not. They might have asked for AT&T's help because they had no prior experience in cellular technology at the time, but I can't image them just giving AT&T a bunch of phones and hoping they don't into the enemy's hands, though we are talking about 6 months between announcement and release so there isn't much that needs to be hidden, while this new phone still hasn't been announced.
I'm pretty sure there will be a policy change coming out of this.
AT&T and every major carrier has to field test the phones and devices they will be selling on their network. Apple probably wouldn't be given a choice in the matter, though they could undoubtably use their clout to influence or control how that testing is carried out. Before the original iPhone was released, Apple didn't have this same clout, so if AT&T had to have the units for testing, then Apple wasn't in a position to refuse. AT&T VP of something or the other stated at launch of the original iphone that they had been field testing units in all manner of locations for 'months' before launch. So, I guess at least 2 months.
At this point in time, AT&T probably still requires test devices before launch, but Apple probably has much more ability to control how, where, when and by whom. Doesn't eliminate AT&T's need to test them, but they are no longer in the driver seat for things like this.
One policy change almost certain: no drinking while testing.
AT&T and every major carrier has to field test the phones and devices they will be selling on their network. Apple probably wouldn't be given a choice in the matter, though they could undoubtably use their clout to influence or control how that testing is carried out. Before the original iPhone was released, Apple didn't have this same clout, so if AT&T had to have the units for testing, then Apple wasn't in a position to refuse. AT&T VP of something or the other stated at launch of the original iphone that they had been field testing units in all manner of locations for 'months' before launch. So, I guess at least 2 months.
At this point in time, AT&T probably still requires test devices before launch, but Apple probably has much more ability to control how, where, when and by whom. Doesn't eliminate AT&T's need to test them, but they are no longer in the driver seat for things like this.
One policy change almost certain: no drinking while testing.
I'm going to need some sort of proof of this. I just can't imagine AT&T employees are sitting on dozens of next generation iPhones that are being used all over the country before Apple has officially announced them.
I'm going to need some sort of proof of this. I just can't imagine AT&T employees are sitting on dozens of next generation iPhones that are being used all over the country before Apple has officially announced them.
USAToday article from the launch of the original. I suppose it isn't really proof, but likely as close as we are going to get without video and sworn statements.
From the article, AT&T had 200 field testers using them for 10 weeks (admittedly, it was before launch but well after the announcement)
USAToday article from the launch of the original. I suppose it isn't really proof, but likely as close as we are going to get without video and sworn statements.
From the article, AT&T had 200 field testers using them for 10 weeks (admittedly, it was before launch but well after the announcement)
Apple's first phone and that would have been 3.5 months after the announcement, assuming the field testers used it right up until the launch date. If AT&T gets them before an official announcement I doubt it would be free floating. Just look at how the iPad was locked down with a few select publishers even after the announcement.
I just listened to an audio conversation between Andy Ihnatko, Dan Benjamin and MacGruber about the incident. One of them stated that they believe that Apple's policy is to take it out for a few hours to do specific tests, not to just use as your regular phone for days or weeks on end. They also stated that they thing the engineer isn't in much trouble, that it was an "honest" mistake, but this could be Apple holding off any decisions (like suing Gizmodo) until after they make an announcement because to fire the mention the device at this point would just validate the stories. Best to ignore it publicly while working to make sure this doesn't happen again.
Apple's first phone and that would have been 3.5 months after the announcement, assuming the field testers used it right up until the launch date. If AT&T gets them before an official announcement I doubt it would be free floating. Just look at how the iPad was locked down with a few select publishers even after the announcement.
The original iPhone was announced months before launch (6 or 7?). Since then, they haven't given as large a lead between announcement and launch of the new hardware.
The iPad is a different beast. Yes, the 3G version would have to be certified by the carriers, but then with those models being delayed they do have some extra weeks. Maybe that even explains part of the delay with the 3G version...they withheld units from AT&T for longer, so as to better keep it a secret before the common announcement. Once it was announced, AT&T would then have the weeks the needed to test the 3G version.
With most Apple products, Apple and Apple alone decides who gets what and when (other than the FCC, I guess). With the carrier supported devices, they cannot make these decisions alone.
I just listened to an audio conversation between Andy Ihnatko, Dan Benjamin and MacGruber about the incident. One of them stated that they believe that Apple's policy is to take it out for a few hours to do specific tests, not to just use as your regular phone for days or weeks on end. They also stated that they thing the engineer isn't in much trouble, that it was an "honest" mistake, but this could be Apple holding off any decisions (like suing Gizmodo) until after they make an announcement because to fire the mention the device at this point would just validate the stories. Best to ignore it publicly while working to make sure this doesn't happen again.
So, he broke protocol, lost a prototype as a result and it is a honest mistake? I think their assumptions about why Apple is being so quite and 'nice' about it are fair.
I'm not arguing with the suggestion that break on top might be for an IR transceiver. I hope it is - it would certainly be a useful hardware addition.
Likewise I'm not suggesting that the existence of 2 breaks in any way means that the unit will be user "openable". In fact I think that's highly unlikely.
My theory is that the breaks in the casing are filled with rubber and serve as shock-absorbers in case of the phone being dropped.
This case has zero plastic. Just rigid metal and rigid glass. Dropping it would be painful.
The addition of some compressible material in the shell would absorb the energy of a fall onto a hard surface.
Thats my theory anyhow!
C.
My theory is that the breaks in the casing are filled with rubber and serve as shock-absorbers in case of the phone being dropped.
This case has zero plastic. Just rigid metal and rigid glass. Dropping it would be painful.
The addition of some compressible material in the shell would absorb the energy of a fall onto a hard surface.
Thats my theory anyhow!
C.
I agree... those slits are positioned perfectly for shock absorption. By having 3 slits, every corner of the phone is protected from that. If the aluminum frame was solid it would have the effect of compressing when dropped, which would push on the glass. There also appears to be a rubber border going around the edges of the glass.
Another reason is thermal expansion. I'll bet that thing can heat up. Aluminum expands 2x as much as steel at any given temperature.
With hardware packed that tight, thermal expansion could be an issue.
I don't care what it looks like, if it doesn't play Blu-Ray, I'm not buying it. All the phones made by PC companies do (eMachines, HP, Dell, Alienware, etc.).
+1
It's too bad iFixit, iSuppli or anandtech didn't get in on the teardown. I'd love to know more about this device. Anyway, there's always July....
Some eagle-eyed poster on another forum spotted this...
I made a jpeg of the important bits.
The Gizmodo teardown does reveal an external sticker on the main board.
There's a number on it that is almost identical to the number on the A4 chip in an iPad teardown.
This is the best evidence to date, suggesting that the iPhone has something like the A4 in it.
C.
I tend to agree. The number of people entrusted with one of these, let alone entrusted to take one off the Apple campus likely numbers in the single digits. Double digits tops.
And it's not like these folks don't understand or appreciate the significance of what they're carrying around. In other words, the chances of it legitimately being forgotten somewhere are next to nil.
I think this is a plant by Apple to soothe the savage beast of the media horde, ws analysts, etc.
Totally agree this is another strange twist in the saga of Apple deliberate leaks, though don't think to "sooth" is their intention! They've sent the tech media into a frenzy and the story has been big in mainstream news too. Something about the new design seems very un-Apple though. Despite it being thinner, the squarish design actually makes it look fatter and less sexy. I wouldn't be surprised if the final case more closely mirrors the previous units. There's simply no way Jobs or Ive would approve of a design with gaps and breaks in the surface like the Gizmodo phone has.
Also gotta hand it to Gizmodo for making the big-time!!! Not bad for an Aussie tech site!
Totally agree this is another strange twist in the saga of Apple deliberate leaks, though don't think to "sooth" is their intention! They've sent the tech media into a frenzy and the story has been big in mainstream news too. Something about the new design seems very un-Apple though. Despite it being thinner, the squarish design actually makes it look fatter and less sexy. I wouldn't be surprised if the final case more closely mirrors the previous units. There's simply no way Jobs or Ive would approve of a design with gaps and breaks in the surface like the Gizmodo phone has.
Apple planning this seems like a foolish move in every way.
However, while I don't agree with your conclusion I will point out that Steve Job, back in 2007, had postive things to say about Gizmodo: http://valleywag.gawker.com/tech/cro...log-264860.php
Also gotta hand it to Gizmodo for making the big-time!!! Not bad for an Aussie tech site!
I think Gizmodo Australia started years after the original site.