What makes sense to me would be a timeline like so (and thanks for the six week window for FCC clearance, I wasn't previously sure about that):
Early October. The 3G iPhone is announced for the European market with a better camera (inc. video recording) and 16GB of storage. 499 Euros and probably a bit thicker to account for the chipset and bigger battery. The EDGE iPhone will also be on sale if you don't need 3G for, say, 349 Euros. The iPhone will, of course, be operating on the 2100 MHz UMTS band. It goes into France, Germany, and the UK with the rest of Europe as deals are reached.
One More Thing? Of course we wouldn't leave out the United States. So, with a projected launch date of late November/early December, the USA gets the same phone (with the only difference being it uses the UMTS frequency bands 850/1900 MHz).
Spring '08. At some special event they announce the next iteration of the iPhone. A better camera, to meet Asian standards, perhaps 24 or 32 GB of storage, an e-cash chip, perhaps GPS or perhaps digital TV (I doubt both)?*and by the way Europe is also getting it. And, in a couple months, so is the USA (with North American UMTS bands, and probably minus that e-cash chip?I figure a bonus e-cash chip for Europe is cheaper than making three models of 3G iPhones).
So will they offer it to the US at the same time as EU. Thats why the price cut was introduced, to make room for the 3G iPhone ($499) & HSPDA iPhone ($599) both 16Gb. Out November, sell sH*t loads December. It also indicates that the current iPhone will become the intro iPhone as the newer models claim added HW functionality. At least until there is a iPhone nano anyway. I think they want the nano for the Asian market. 1st Qtr 2008.
Just musing, what do you think?
Pete
So the five year exclusive agreement with at&t is what, just an illusion? It never was announced and never happened?
So the five year exclusive agreement with at&t is what, just an illusion? It never was announced and never happened?
The ATT exclusive is only for the US market. In Europe and Asia, Apple is free to partner with other carriers.
And even in the US, the ATT exclusive may not actually be five years. Some articles that came out not long afterwards were saying things that seemed to imply more like two years for the exclusive, with an option to go five years, presumably if both parties agreed.
If so, I wouldn't expect Apple to agree to an extension. ATT is only about 25% of the US market. I'm sure Apple would like to sell to the entire US market, as soon as it could.
Certainly I was wrong about my hopeful prediction that Apple had 3G hidden inside the current iPhone and could simply wake it up with a firmware change.
Ah. So he's the dumbass who started that (incredibly wrong, incredibly persistent) rumor. \
I can't believe all the jerks guessing Apple will add GPS and go to 3G in the U.S. despite AT$T and all the money they make..... or that they would spring a 3G new phone on everyone IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR?
Has everyone just taken leave of their senses?
Apple has had this planned since December of last year.
They plan a year ahead.
The iPhone launch and setting it up for the Christmas season, because THAT'S where they make all their money.
New iMacs ready to roll and timed for the Christmas season, because THAT'S where they make all their money.
New iBooks ready to roll and timed for the Christmas season, because THAT'S where they make all their money.
New iPods ready to roll and timed for the Christmas season, because THAT's where they make all their money.
New OS X ready to roll and timed for the Christmas season, because THAT'S where they make all their money.
You guys think they'll rethink everything in a few weeks?
Turn their plans on a dime to add.... what a GPS? or a better camera? more memory?
You're ALL CRAZY!
This is the new line. Every product they have is new and ready to go.
They will not reinvent the line-up until spring at the earliest.
They're gonna sell 50 million iPod chubbies next quarter.
Sit back and relax.
You're not gonna see a 3G iPhone running on AT$T with GPS, a much improved camera and double the memory in just a few weeks from now.
You sound so stupid to even be talking about it much less reposting fake jpeg ad-sheets.
I can't believe all the jerks guessing Apple will add GPS and go to 3G in the U.S. despite AT$T and all the money they make..... or that they would spring a 3G new phone on everyone IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR?
Has everyone just taken leave of their senses?
Apple has had this planned since December of last year.
They plan a year ahead.
The iPhone launch and setting it up for the Christmas season, because THAT'S where they make all their money.
New iMacs ready to roll and timed for the Christmas season, because THAT'S where they make all their money.
etc etc
You guys think they'll rethink everything in a few weeks?
Turn their plans on a dime to add.... what a GPS? or a better camera? more memory?
You're ALL CRAZY!
This is the new line. Every product they have is new and ready to go.
They will not reinvent the line-up until spring at the earliest.
They're gonna sell 50 million iPod chubbies next quarter.
Sit back and relax.
You're not gonna see a 3G iPhone running on AT$T with GPS, a much improved camera and double the memory in just a few weeks from now.
You sound so stupid to even be talking about it much less reposting fake jpeg ad-sheets.
The author must be laughing at ALL of you.
Relax and take a deep breath, sparky.
If I had to bet, I'd put my money down on 3G not happening 'til the Asian iPhone launch in mid-'08. But if it did happen for the Euro launch, I would not exactly faint from shock.
1. 3G iPhone gets released for the European launch in a few weeks
2. In the US, Apple keeps on selling the 2.5G iPhone while the 3G iPhone is available in Europe, with no immediate announcement as to when the 3G model will hit the US
3. Millions howl.
You'd think it'd be unlikely that they'd do that, as obviously US iPhone sales would fall lots as ppl waited for a 3G US model, but still, it's kinda like being between a rock and a hard place for Apple.
Why? Because if they get a 3G model out for the Euro launch, well, what's the OTHER scenario? Immediate availability of the 3G model in the US as well? Great. Now we'll have a wave of ppl screaming that they "just paid 400 bucks for an iPhone, and got SCREWED" because the 3G model came along only a few weeks later. And the ppl who paid 600 bucks got 'double screwed', by overpaying AND being obsoleted so quickly on top of it. You get the idea.
This is the sort of stuff that makes me think maybe Apple won't go 3G 'til the Asian launch in mid-'08. But if they don't, then Euro customers will be upset over the launch iPhone being only 2.5G. \
No matter what Apple does, someone's gonna be very unhappy. It's enough to make Steve Jobs want to kick a puppy.
Right, Apple just knocked down the price on its iPhone $200. In the process, all the early adopters threw a fit. Now Apple several months later is going to come out with a 3G version? I do not think so. Apple dropped the price on the current model to spur holiday sales. After the holidays, Apple will introduce a 3G model to spur post holiday sales.
Right, Apple just knocked down the price on its iPhone $200. In the process, all the early adopters threw a fit. Now Apple several months later is going to come out with a 3G version? I do not think so. Apple dropped the price on the current model to spur holiday sales. After the holidays, Apple will introduce a 3G model to spur post holiday sales.
It could be,
but I would not be surprise that prior to the holidays we have a 16gig and 3G iPhone.
People will whine no matter what Apple does, so why bother. Bring it on!
It was always going to be this way though. And you cant really kick up a fuss when we get the 3g version with possible more memory either as the USA hasnt really taken on 3G as much as in Europe. Im sure the iphone sucessor will come in a 3G only version which will be rolled out to all countries instead of different variants.
It's perfectly normal though for Europe to get 3G models way before the USA. We have a different 3G frequency band in Europe. Nokia's N95 was out in March, the US release was this month apparently although carriers haven't picked it up. Sometimes the USA doesn't get the 3G models at all.
So, I'd say Apple could quite possibly release a Euro 3G iPhone and tell Americans that their version won't be out till after Xmas. Some people will whinge. Some people will not buy a non 3G phone and some people will still buy as 3G isn't important to them in the USA or they've absolutely no idea why 3G is a good thing.
3G is more important here (since EDGE is so poorly spread) but I imagine Apple would still find buyers here even without it and I think that also is a very strong possibility. See AppleTV - released here with no iTunes Movies or shows. Apple quite often has it's head up it's arse when it releases European product despite the infrastructure not being there.
I don't think 3G is coming to the States until AT&T increases its availability. It's only available in metropolitan areas, whereas EDGE is available pretty much nationwide.
Why? Because if they get a 3G model out for the Euro launch, well, what's the OTHER scenario? Immediate availability of the 3G model in the US as well? Great. Now we'll have a wave of ppl screaming that they "just paid 400 bucks for an iPhone, and got SCREWED" because the 3G model came along only a few weeks later. And the ppl who paid 600 bucks got 'double screwed', by overpaying AND being obsoleted so quickly on top of it. You get the idea.
for me this raises the question: why is it that apple cops this kind of reaction whereas other phone manufacturers release new models all the time and no one bats an eyelid? strange...
Comments
Early October. The 3G iPhone is announced for the European market with a better camera (inc. video recording) and 16GB of storage. 499 Euros and probably a bit thicker to account for the chipset and bigger battery. The EDGE iPhone will also be on sale if you don't need 3G for, say, 349 Euros. The iPhone will, of course, be operating on the 2100 MHz UMTS band. It goes into France, Germany, and the UK with the rest of Europe as deals are reached.
One More Thing? Of course we wouldn't leave out the United States. So, with a projected launch date of late November/early December, the USA gets the same phone (with the only difference being it uses the UMTS frequency bands 850/1900 MHz).
Spring '08. At some special event they announce the next iteration of the iPhone. A better camera, to meet Asian standards, perhaps 24 or 32 GB of storage, an e-cash chip, perhaps GPS or perhaps digital TV (I doubt both)?*and by the way Europe is also getting it. And, in a couple months, so is the USA (with North American UMTS bands, and probably minus that e-cash chip?I figure a bonus e-cash chip for Europe is cheaper than making three models of 3G iPhones).
Where there is smoke, there is a fire.
Coraborated rumors implies it exists. OK 1+1 =2
So will they offer it to the US at the same time as EU. Thats why the price cut was introduced, to make room for the 3G iPhone ($499) & HSPDA iPhone ($599) both 16Gb. Out November, sell sH*t loads December. It also indicates that the current iPhone will become the intro iPhone as the newer models claim added HW functionality. At least until there is a iPhone nano anyway. I think they want the nano for the Asian market. 1st Qtr 2008.
Just musing, what do you think?
Pete
So the five year exclusive agreement with at&t is what, just an illusion? It never was announced and never happened?
So the five year exclusive agreement with at&t is what, just an illusion? It never was announced and never happened?
The ATT exclusive is only for the US market. In Europe and Asia, Apple is free to partner with other carriers.
And even in the US, the ATT exclusive may not actually be five years. Some articles that came out not long afterwards were saying things that seemed to imply more like two years for the exclusive, with an option to go five years, presumably if both parties agreed.
If so, I wouldn't expect Apple to agree to an extension. ATT is only about 25% of the US market. I'm sure Apple would like to sell to the entire US market, as soon as it could.
.
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2...12_002475.html
Cringely called it back in July. The X-mas 3G surprise, that is.
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2...12_002475.html
From Cringley's article:
Certainly I was wrong about my hopeful prediction that Apple had 3G hidden inside the current iPhone and could simply wake it up with a firmware change.
Ah. So he's the dumbass who started that (incredibly wrong, incredibly persistent) rumor.
.
Has everyone just taken leave of their senses?
Apple has had this planned since December of last year.
They plan a year ahead.
The iPhone launch and setting it up for the Christmas season, because THAT'S where they make all their money.
New iMacs ready to roll and timed for the Christmas season, because THAT'S where they make all their money.
New iBooks ready to roll and timed for the Christmas season, because THAT'S where they make all their money.
New iPods ready to roll and timed for the Christmas season, because THAT's where they make all their money.
New OS X ready to roll and timed for the Christmas season, because THAT'S where they make all their money.
You guys think they'll rethink everything in a few weeks?
Turn their plans on a dime to add.... what a GPS? or a better camera? more memory?
You're ALL CRAZY!
This is the new line. Every product they have is new and ready to go.
They will not reinvent the line-up until spring at the earliest.
They're gonna sell 50 million iPod chubbies next quarter.
Sit back and relax.
You're not gonna see a 3G iPhone running on AT$T with GPS, a much improved camera and double the memory in just a few weeks from now.
You sound so stupid to even be talking about it much less reposting fake jpeg ad-sheets.
The author must be laughing at ALL of you.
I can't believe all the jerks guessing Apple will add GPS and go to 3G in the U.S. despite AT$T and all the money they make..... or that they would spring a 3G new phone on everyone IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR?
Has everyone just taken leave of their senses?
Apple has had this planned since December of last year.
They plan a year ahead.
The iPhone launch and setting it up for the Christmas season, because THAT'S where they make all their money.
New iMacs ready to roll and timed for the Christmas season, because THAT'S where they make all their money.
etc etc
You guys think they'll rethink everything in a few weeks?
Turn their plans on a dime to add.... what a GPS? or a better camera? more memory?
You're ALL CRAZY!
This is the new line. Every product they have is new and ready to go.
They will not reinvent the line-up until spring at the earliest.
They're gonna sell 50 million iPod chubbies next quarter.
Sit back and relax.
You're not gonna see a 3G iPhone running on AT$T with GPS, a much improved camera and double the memory in just a few weeks from now.
You sound so stupid to even be talking about it much less reposting fake jpeg ad-sheets.
The author must be laughing at ALL of you.
Relax and take a deep breath, sparky.
If I had to bet, I'd put my money down on 3G not happening 'til the Asian iPhone launch in mid-'08. But if it did happen for the Euro launch, I would not exactly faint from shock.
.
Did you really think that Apple would send out a GSM iphone for its European launch? Come of it they arnt dumb.
http://www.macformat.co.uk/page/macf..._no_longer_the
1. 3G iPhone gets released for the European launch in a few weeks
2. In the US, Apple keeps on selling the 2.5G iPhone while the 3G iPhone is available in Europe, with no immediate announcement as to when the 3G model will hit the US
3. Millions howl.
You'd think it'd be unlikely that they'd do that, as obviously US iPhone sales would fall lots as ppl waited for a 3G US model, but still, it's kinda like being between a rock and a hard place for Apple.
Why? Because if they get a 3G model out for the Euro launch, well, what's the OTHER scenario? Immediate availability of the 3G model in the US as well? Great. Now we'll have a wave of ppl screaming that they "just paid 400 bucks for an iPhone, and got SCREWED" because the 3G model came along only a few weeks later. And the ppl who paid 600 bucks got 'double screwed', by overpaying AND being obsoleted so quickly on top of it. You get the idea.
This is the sort of stuff that makes me think maybe Apple won't go 3G 'til the Asian launch in mid-'08. But if they don't, then Euro customers will be upset over the launch iPhone being only 2.5G.
No matter what Apple does, someone's gonna be very unhappy. It's enough to make Steve Jobs want to kick a puppy.
Don't do it Steve! We're adorable!
.
Right, Apple just knocked down the price on its iPhone $200. In the process, all the early adopters threw a fit. Now Apple several months later is going to come out with a 3G version? I do not think so. Apple dropped the price on the current model to spur holiday sales. After the holidays, Apple will introduce a 3G model to spur post holiday sales.
It could be,
but I would not be surprise that prior to the holidays we have a 16gig and 3G iPhone.
People will whine no matter what Apple does, so why bother. Bring it on!
So, I'd say Apple could quite possibly release a Euro 3G iPhone and tell Americans that their version won't be out till after Xmas. Some people will whinge. Some people will not buy a non 3G phone and some people will still buy as 3G isn't important to them in the USA or they've absolutely no idea why 3G is a good thing.
3G is more important here (since EDGE is so poorly spread) but I imagine Apple would still find buyers here even without it and I think that also is a very strong possibility. See AppleTV - released here with no iTunes Movies or shows. Apple quite often has it's head up it's arse when it releases European product despite the infrastructure not being there.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09/14/o2_edge/
Why? Because if they get a 3G model out for the Euro launch, well, what's the OTHER scenario? Immediate availability of the 3G model in the US as well? Great. Now we'll have a wave of ppl screaming that they "just paid 400 bucks for an iPhone, and got SCREWED" because the 3G model came along only a few weeks later. And the ppl who paid 600 bucks got 'double screwed', by overpaying AND being obsoleted so quickly on top of it. You get the idea.
for me this raises the question: why is it that apple cops this kind of reaction whereas other phone manufacturers release new models all the time and no one bats an eyelid? strange...