Alleged iOS 6 beta details suggest support for iPhone 3GS

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  • Reply 21 of 75
    nhtnht Posts: 4,522member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tylerk36 View Post


    Ios 5.1.1.  iOS6?  Seems like Apple is jumping the gun and jumping os versions rapidly.  Why not iOS 5.5 instead of iOS6?  Also why the jump in Safari versions.  I am running the 5.2 beta.  Why jump to Safari 6 when the 5.2 beta is not even main stream?  Doesn't make sense.



     


    It usually means significant changes for devs...new APIs, deprecated APIs, new requirements, new capabilities, new rules, etc.  Might also mean new device or resolution to support for apps.

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  • Reply 22 of 75
    shaun, ukshaun, uk Posts: 1,050member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ltcommander.data View Post


    Yeah, if they are supporting the iPhone 3GS, it makes little sense to not support the third-gen iPod Touch since it's essentially the same hardware so it'd be minimal effort. Without a cellular radio and fewer background programs, supporting the 3rd gen iPod Touch should be even simpler than supporting the IPhone 3GS.


     


    Supporting 3rd gen devices in general with iOS 6 isn't out of the question since both 3rd and 4th gen devices use the same Cortex A8 CPU and SGX535 GPU so compatibility is not an issue. 3rd gen devices are just a little slower on the CPU side, but a little faster on the GPU side due to lower resolution. Since iOS 6 already needs to fit into 256MB of RAM for the 4th gen iPod Touch, RAM is not an issue for 3rd gen devices either.



     


    It has nothing to do with hardware configuration. It's about the fact that they will continue to sell the 3GS after the next iPhone is launched. There have been rumours that Apple will lower the price and focus the 3GS on the pre-paid PAYG marketplace, in which case it needs to be able to support the latest OS. In contrast Apple are not still selling the 3rd Gen iPod Touch. Also there is very likely going to be a 5th Generation iPod Touch released later this year as they didn't update it last year, so it makes sense to support the new 5th Generation model and the previous 4th Generation model to encourage 3rd Generation users to upgrade.


     


    Upgrades = more revenue. It's a simple business decision. Keep the product churn going. Encourage users to upgrade at least every 2 or 3 years to get the latest OS.

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  • Reply 23 of 75
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Shaun, UK View Post

    It's about the fact that they will continue to sell the 3GS after the next iPhone is launched.


     


    So, what, they'll be paying people to take it off their hands? It's already free. Do you expect anyone to get the iPhone 3GS for free when they can get the iPhone 4 for free?


     


    What sense is there to be selling a FOUR YEAR OLD PHONE, particularly since that's what it'll be when the 7th iPhone comes out.


     


    Quote:


    There have been rumours that Apple will lower the price and focus the 3GS on the pre-paid PAYG marketplace, in which case it needs to be able to support the latest OS.



     


    "Needs". Also, all other iPhones are already going to be in that marketplace. Data will STILL be forced, so an up-front price reduction is virtually meaningless.

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  • Reply 24 of 75
    mac_128mac_128 Posts: 3,454member
    hittrj01 wrote: »
    True. but the 3G wasn't a currently selling model when iOS 4 came out, and it was still supported.
    The 3G was discontinued in the same month as the 4.0 release. New customers would have screamed bloody murder if they had not gotten at least one update, only a few weeks after their phone was discontinued.

    As it is, Apple is dropping support for MobileMe on the iPhone 3G, less than two years after it was discontinued. The last 3G sold hasn't even run out its AppleCare contract term, and a major feature of the device, synchronization with other Apple products, has been dropped. Good thing those phone contracts only require two years before they'll subsidize another phone upgrade (assuming that is, one bought a 3G to use Apple's synchronization services with which the phone was promoted)... Guess it's wasted AppleCare money though ...
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  • Reply 25 of 75
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Mac_128 View Post

    Good thing those phone contracts only require two years…


     


    Yeah, no one lives in Canada or anything. image


     


    (though they probably have upgrade pricing)

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  • Reply 26 of 75
    asdasdasdasd Posts: 5,686member
    It WON'T be a currently selling product when iOS 6 comes out.


    Yes it will. You predicted the demise of the 3GS last year as well as I recall.
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  • Reply 27 of 75
    shaun, ukshaun, uk Posts: 1,050member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post


     


    So, what, they'll be paying people to take it off their hands? It's already free. Do you expect anyone to get the iPhone 3GS for free when they can get the iPhone 4 for free?


     


    What sense is there to be selling a FOUR YEAR OLD PHONE, particularly since that's what it'll be when the 7th iPhone comes out.


     


     


    "Needs". Also, all other iPhones are already going to be in that marketplace. Data will STILL be forced, so an up-front price reduction is virtually meaningless.



     


    China + India = 2.5 Billion people = Huge sales potential for PAYG phones = Lots of money = Why they will continue to sell the 3GS

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  • Reply 28 of 75
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by asdasd View Post

    Yes it will. You predicted the demise of the 3GS last year as well as I recall.


     


    Because I was using past actions to predict the future, which is the only thing anyone can reasonably do.


     


    So Apple is going to sell a twenty year old phone, is that it? The 3GS is a piece of crap. Everyone complained about iOS 4 on it, for heaven's sake. Now they demand 6?




    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Shaun, UK View Post

    It's NOT free on pre-paid PAYG plans… 





    You'll notice I mentioned that. Did you read my entire post before deciding to insult me?

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  • Reply 29 of 75
    shaun, ukshaun, uk Posts: 1,050member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post


     


    Because I was using past actions to predict the future, which is the only thing anyone can reasonably do.


     


    So Apple is going to sell a twenty year old phone, is that it? The 3GS is a piece of crap. Everyone complained about iOS 4 on it, for heaven's sake. Now they demand 6?




     




    You'll notice I mentioned that. Did you read my entire post before deciding to insult me?



     


    Where? You said you can get the iPhone 3GS and the iPhone 4 FREE - Neither of these phones are free on PAYG. Check the Apple website if you don't believe me.


     


    When the iPhone 5 comes out they will probably drop the iPhone 4 anyway and just keep the 3GS and 4GS alongside the new phone.

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  • Reply 30 of 75
    asdasdasdasd Posts: 5,686member
    Yes, the 4 is more likely to go than the 3GS. There is no need for an iPhone with the same form factor and a different chip.
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  • Reply 31 of 75
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member

    Quote:


    Where?



     


    Here:


     


    Quote:


    Data will STILL be forced, so an up-front price reduction is virtually meaningless.



     


    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Shaun, UK View Post

    You said you can get the iPhone 3GS and the iPhone 4 FREE


     


    Theoretically, yes, once the next one comes out, provided they even keep the 3GS around.


     


    Quote:


     - Neither of these phones are free on PAYG. Check the Apple website if you don't believe me.



     


    Of course not. I didn't say that.


     


    Quote:


    When the iPhone 5 comes out they will probably drop the iPhone 4 anyway and just keep the 3GS and 4GS alongside the new phone.



     


    Because that certainly happened last year.

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  • Reply 32 of 75
    lun_esexlun_esex Posts: 27member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post


     


    So, what, they'll be paying people to take it off their hands? It's already free. Do you expect anyone to get the iPhone 3GS for free when they can get the iPhone 4 for free?


     


    What sense is there to be selling a FOUR YEAR OLD PHONE, particularly since that's what it'll be when the 7th iPhone comes out.


     


     


    "Needs". Also, all other iPhones are already going to be in that marketplace. Data will STILL be forced, so an up-front price reduction is virtually meaningless.



     


    The iPhone 3GS is only free with a 2 year contract. It's still $375 unlocked with no contract. That's the price you'd have to pay for prepaid/pay-as-you-go. Apple's increasingly interested in getting into that market.


     


    On Cricket the iPhone 4 is $400 and the iPhone 4S is $500. On Virgin Mobile the iPhone 4 is $550 and the iPhone 4S is $650. The iPhone 3GS won't work on either of those carriers because it's not CDMA, but it will work on many carriers in developing nations, where fewer phones are sold with contracts than without. That's a huge market, and due to the high upfront cost of non-contract iPhones Apple doesn't yet have a very large presence, there. So it actually makes some sense for Apple to keep the iPhone 3GS around, specifically as a very cheap non-contract phone for those markets.


     


    Also notice that without the phone subsidies that are baked into a 2 year contract, the monthly service charges are a lot lower. So an up-front price reduction does have significant meaning; at least outside of U.S.-centric, all-smartphones-are-subsidised-with-a-2-year-contract thinking.

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  • Reply 33 of 75
    solipsismxsolipsismx Posts: 19,566member
    tylerk36 wrote: »
    Ios 5.1.1.  iOS6?  Seems like Apple is jumping the gun and jumping os versions rapidly.  Why not iOS 5.5 instead of iOS6?  Also why the jump in Safari versions.  I am running the 5.2 beta.  Why jump to Safari 6 when the 5.2 beta is not even main stream?  Doesn't make sense.

    Why only go to 5.5 when you have so many new features, new APIs, and it's what you do every year with iOS as in coincides with a new iPhone release? It makes perfect sense.
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  • Reply 34 of 75
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tylerk36 View Post

    iOS6?  Seems like Apple is jumping the gun and jumping os versions rapidly.  Why not iOS 5.5 instead of iOS6?


     


    New version number every year. That's how it always happens.


     


    Quote:


      Also why the jump in Safari versions.  I am running the 5.2 beta.  Why jump to Safari 6 when the 5.2 beta is not even main stream?  Doesn't make sense.



     


    Obviously they're adding something worth renumbering.

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  • Reply 35 of 75
    shaun, ukshaun, uk Posts: 1,050member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post


     


    Here:


     


     


     


    Theoretically, yes, once the next one comes out, provided they even keep the 3GS around.


     


     


    Of course not. I didn't say that.


     


     


    Because that certainly happened last year.



     


    You simply don't understand the international PAYG market.


     


    1. Data is NOT forced on PAYG plans. You can opt to simply use it as a phone/ipod/etc with Apps that don't require a data connection or as many people do simply use your home or free wifi when you need to access the internet for updates, etc. Alternatively you can purchase PAYG data plans as add-ons if you so wish.


     


    2. If I remember you were adamant that the 3GS would be discontinued last fall when many us (me included) said they would keep it.

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  • Reply 36 of 75
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Shaun, UK View Post

    You simply don't understand the international PAYG market.


     


    1. Data is NOT forced on PAYG plans.



     


    In the US it is. Apologies.


     


    Quote:


    2. If I remember you were adamant that the 3GS would be discontinued last fall when many us (me included) said they would keep it.



     


    Because that was the only logical thought to have at the time.

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  • Reply 37 of 75
    ivinceivince Posts: 74member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Shaun, UK View Post




    It's NOT free on pre-paid PAYG plans you idiot. Maybe you should engage your brain before your mouth once in a while.


     


    China + India = 2.5 Billion people = Huge sales potential for PAYG phones = Lots of money = Why they will continue to sell the 3GS



     


     


     


    I interpreted his reply as the 3GS is already free to have on a monthly plan (as is the iPhone 4), so why would Apple expect customers to pay for the same inferior 3 year old phone on PAYG with a (likely sub-optimised iOS 6 running off it).  He kind of has a point.

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  • Reply 38 of 75


    Until the fall when they introduce the new iPhone, the iPhone 3G[S] will continue to be supported in future software updates and apple improvements. Lemme tell you something, the reason they are not supporting the iPad 1 is because they haven't sold it for 2 generations. Apple gives one year after they stop selling it for software updates, not one year after a new generation comes out, one year after they stop selling it. They still sell the iPhone 3G[S]. When the New iPhone comes out, the iPhone 4 will be free and the iPhone 3G[S] might have one year after that for supported software updates. 

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  • Reply 39 of 75
    shaun, ukshaun, uk Posts: 1,050member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post


     


    In the US it is. Apologies.


     


     


    Because that was the only logical thought to have at the time.





    Ok sorry I didn't know that. Clearly you have a very different system in the US. My apologies for insulting you.


     


    I have an iPhone on PAYG simply because I don't want to be tied to a contract and don't want to pay for an expensive data plan. If I need to connect to the net for updates I just link it to my home wifi or use free wifi in a local coffee shop.


     


    It makes sense to me anyway to have a 3 or 4 year old iPhone 3GS still around to address the PAYG market because it's not going to cannibalise sales of the new iPhone in the same way that say using the iPhone 4 would. So I think they will keep to the same strategy of better, best, ultimate: 3GS as the cheap PAYG phone, 4GS as the free or cheap on 2 year contract phone and the new iPhone as the premium product.

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  • Reply 40 of 75
    td912td912 Posts: 26member


    I think the whole issue with supporting the iPhone 3G was just bad planning by Apple. Same thing with the 1st gen iPad.


     


    While a device might seem perfectly fine, or even way more than adequate now, it's really difficult to predict what new software features will end up being added 3 years from now, even for Apple. Back in 2008, the year MobileMe launched, the year the MacBook Air was introduced, I don't think anybody knew what would happen in 2011 with iCloud, Retina Displays, or even Steve Job's death. Heck, Snow Leopard wasn't even released yet.


     


    And people have trouble predicting what will happen at WWDC, which is only one day away.


     


    Apple needs to strike a balance of keeping the interface smooth, adding new features, and supporting devices for a decent period of time.


     


    Offtopic rant:


    Even the iPod Touch 4g seems kinda iffy, as the RAM was gimped to 256MB. I have one, and although the Retina screen and HD camcorder are nice, you can actually feel it lagging quite often. Safari keeps crashing and reloading pages, and trying to multitask is potluck sometimes as you have to guess if iOS will end up killing the app to free up RAM. I'm guessing my friend's old 3rd gen is still pretty smooth because of the lower RAM usage from the lower resolution screen. While the newer A4 CPU is somewhat faster, and the same GPU from the 3rd gen still seems capable enough, It's actually slower at a lot of things (and more annoying) compared to the 3rd gen I upgraded from simply because it lacks the RAM to offset the higher RAM usage from the higher resolution.

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