I think the lack of numerical naming of the new ipad is a sign of...

Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited January 2014
I think the lack of numerical naming of the new ipad is a sign of that the outward design will not be changing much in the near future. Giving each new generation a new number is great when it shows significant outward cosmetic differences (iphone, iphone 3G, iphone 4) , but if the product is going to look visually the same for many years it's better to get rid of the number. For a while imacs were often referred as the imac G3, imac G4 , imac core-duo when each generation looked different, but over the last 6 years or so their outward appearance has changed little and no one really bothers with differentiating imacs by processor names anymore.







If the next iphone looks almost the same as the 4S, but only slightly thinner (gorilla glass 2 on each side), slightly larger screen, no physical home button, 4G LTE, same A5 processor (no need for a hotter running processor anytime soon), better batteries for longer life, and maybe an increased amount of ram. I think the next iphone will either be the last to use a number or be the second one without it.



It's no longer about how the products look anymore, from here on out it's about how the iphone, ipad, iTV (whatever its called) work together with iCloud and with all those amazing apps. This new digital ecosystem will eventually create and give birth to new types of devices that we can not even imagine at this point, but those devices are most likely a decade away and will be created by some kids in their garage somewhere.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 4
    wizard69wizard69 Posts: 13,377member
    That is management at Apple has been reading the various forums, especially the threads where iPhone numbering is argued, and they said collectively WTF. That is they where appalled at the polarization with respect to naming the next generation iPhone and they decided to eliminate a reason for discussion. So I would expect that the next iPhone will be called "iPhone".



    If Apple introduces a larger iPhone to go along with the current one they will simply name that unit. Nothing complex or serial in naming will be allowed. The idea being to put focus on the product not the name.
  • Reply 2 of 4
    Even in a 'worst case scenario' if we started to see a plateauing of major technological advancements in the iPhone and iPad, it will only lead Apple down the path of lowering the retail price. As the retail price falls (and with the possible introduction of an iPad mini) more people will be able to afford Apple products and they will only become even more popular with the masses. Sure this will run its course and come to a dead end eventually, but they could milk it around the globe for the next 5 years pretty easily as volume skyrockets but margins per unit decline (but won't disapear).
  • Reply 3 of 4
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Commodification View Post


    I think the lack of numerical naming of the new iPad is a sign of that the outward design will not be changing much in the near future.



    And I'd be fine with that, since I scooped up an orange+grey Smart Cover a week or so after they were discontinued, and I'd love for it to fit on a future iPad update I may or may not buy at all.



    Quote:

    For a while imacs were often referred as the imac G3, imac G4 , imac core-duo when each generation looked different, but over the last 6 years or so their outward appearance has changed little and no one really bothers with differentiating imacs by processor names anymore.



    Even then there were plenty of updates within the same case design, and Apple never incremented names officially (they just had "Early 2001", "Fall 2000", etc.). They did have 'iMac DV', though.



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by wizard69 View Post


    That is management at Apple has been reading the various forums, especially the threads where iPhone numbering is argued, and they said collectively WTF.



    You know, as improbable as that is, I hope it's true.



    Quote:

    That is they where appalled at the polarization with respect to naming the next generation iPhone and they decided to eliminate a reason for discussion.



    Ah, see, and they're fine with the polarization about other topics.



    I agree with you completely, though.



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Commodification View Post


    Even in a 'worst case scenario' if we started to see a plateauing of major technological advancements in the iPhone and iPad?



    Fortunately, we're not going to see that. I don't see Apple 'riding the wave', 'ghost riding the whip', or 'coasting' unless they're forced to by slowed/delayed advancements from third parties. Too many good people still there that wouldn't let that happen.
  • Reply 4 of 4
    Quote:

    unless they're forced to by slowed/delayed advancements from third parties. Too many good people still there that wouldn't let that happen



    That is the problem. Apple will always be held back by their suppliers and as Apple sales volume continues to climb up through the stratosphere it becomes increasingly harder for suppliers to innovate and at the same time meet the daily production needs and required high quality demands. The continued production volume to meet Apples needs is going to be signicantly more than any one PC manufacture required at the peak of the PC era.



    Even HP, M$, IBM, and etc at the peak of the PC era had good and really smart people working for them, but true innovation that leads to the next big thing often comes from the 'crazy ones' laboring in their garage and not in a lavish office building designed to satify the finicky tastes of billionaires.
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