Reports confirms Sept 7 iTunes phone launch
Apple and Motorola indeed have plans to unveil their long- awaited iTunes music phones next week during the special event to be held in San Francisco, The New York Times is confirming.
The publication cites "a telecommunications industry analyst who has been briefed on the announcement" in saying that the Sept 7th event coincides with the launch of the phones. The findings corroborate an AppleInsider report from last week, which also placed the iTunes phone launch on Sept 7th.
Roger Entner, a telecommunications analyst with market research firm Ovum , told the Times he had been informed by an industry executive that the iTunes phone would be marketed by Cingular Wireless. The Wall Street Journal also reported on Monday that Apple and Cingular had struck a deal that would make the phone available in time for the holidays.
"Apple also may introduce a line of iPod digital music players intended to replace its hugely popular iPod mini line," a source told the Journal.
Apple, Motorola and Cingular all reportedly declined to confirm or deny the reports. However, Apple on Monday, through digital invites to the media, announced that it would hold a special media event on Sept. 7 at San Francisco's Moscone Center. The invites flaunt a teaser reading, "1,000 songs in your pocket changed everything. Here we go again."
It's expected that Motorola and Apple will introduce a complete line of music-oriented phones that go by the name ROKR, rather than a single handset.
The publication cites "a telecommunications industry analyst who has been briefed on the announcement" in saying that the Sept 7th event coincides with the launch of the phones. The findings corroborate an AppleInsider report from last week, which also placed the iTunes phone launch on Sept 7th.
Roger Entner, a telecommunications analyst with market research firm Ovum , told the Times he had been informed by an industry executive that the iTunes phone would be marketed by Cingular Wireless. The Wall Street Journal also reported on Monday that Apple and Cingular had struck a deal that would make the phone available in time for the holidays.
"Apple also may introduce a line of iPod digital music players intended to replace its hugely popular iPod mini line," a source told the Journal.
Apple, Motorola and Cingular all reportedly declined to confirm or deny the reports. However, Apple on Monday, through digital invites to the media, announced that it would hold a special media event on Sept. 7 at San Francisco's Moscone Center. The invites flaunt a teaser reading, "1,000 songs in your pocket changed everything. Here we go again."
It's expected that Motorola and Apple will introduce a complete line of music-oriented phones that go by the name ROKR, rather than a single handset.
Comments
This ROKRs just seem SO motorolaish! I agree can't seem to get excited about it, just to many rumors and speculation about this thing that NEVER seems to get resolved...
that CEO of moto is such a smarmy dodgy-looking daggy salesman type dude. and now having it tied into a carrier, Singularlycraptacular,
the mobile market, ringtones, and handhelds is just such a messy space right now. apple is better to do a top-down approach, which is what they are thinking with intel -- somewhere along the lines in 2006 the iBook will meet the iPod and it will access ubiquitious broadband (wiMax ?)
If this phone is done well, and doesn't cost a fortune, I'm all for it. I don't want a super-duper-does-everything smartphone, just a plain old regular phone and iPod combined. Those are the only gadgets I carry around with me everywhere, and if they're integrated properly, with neither function adversely affected by the other, and if the package is still reasonably small, then YES I want one.
yeah the problem is Moto is involved. i've tried 3 of their phones in the past 2.5 years and it just never did it for me. why can't Sony f())(king get their act together and work closer with Apple? bloody helll
Originally posted by TrevorD
If this phone is done well, and doesn't cost a fortune, I'm all for it.
Not me -- I want a phone that isn't done well, and costs a fortune!
Originally posted by wilco
Not me -- I want a phone that isn't done well, and costs a fortune!
I was commenting on the fact that many people don't seem to want it unless it's a Treo-like smartphone, or they don't see a significant market for an iTunes phone. I, OTOH, wouldn't buy a full-blown smartphone, iTunes or not. I just want a simple, straight-forward phone that works like a phone, and I want a simple, straight-forward music player that works like a music player. If they can successfully merge those two devices without hampering either one, then I will be very excited. My only concern is that many convergence devices end up forsaking simplicity in favour of features, and that would be a bad thing.
Originally posted by TrevorD
My only concern is that many convergence devices end up forsaking simplicity in favour of features, and that would be a bad thing.
And very un Apple Like, which is why I can't understand why Steves making this announcement, its primarily a MOTOROLA PRODUCT that just happens to have an iTunes feature!!!
First, they're mentioning the 1000 songs of the original iPod. Then, they?re releasing a device that doesn't hold as many songs and has a shorter battery life when combined with current cell phone features.
Second, they're comparing it to how the iPod changed everything. I feel, in personal audio, it did. Okay, actually the iTMS did. However, do they really think this phone will change everything? If so, why are they officially announcing its release in a campaign that almost puts it against the iPod. I mean if they're changing everything, again, shouldn't I lose my iPod and just get an iTune Phone.
On the other hand, in the end the phone doesn't seem like a big deal for Apple until they design their own - maybe with Motorola's help, like they have used Sony in the past. Apple software driving the phone. Apple makes their money off their iPods and skims some off of iTMS. The phone would be mainly Motorola's cash. iTunes on it is basically just an application with some licensing fees.
My analysis, I think Apple will announce some new products from San Francisco and then pass the floor to Motorola on the east coast to announce the phone. Or. No phone at all.
Then again maybe it?s something some are only hoping for:
1. Apple Media Center
2. Video iPod and iTunes 5
3. Updated Airports with streaming video
4. Higher capacity shuffles with playlists (no screen please)
5. Flash based iPod Mini with color screen
Palmer Deville
Originally posted by pdeville
If this is the iTunes phone release, then I think Apple did its worst campaign announcement ever.
"Beyond the Rumor Sites. Way Beyond." was so much better?
Originally posted by pdeville
If this is the iTunes phone release, then I think Apple did its worst campaign announcement ever.
First, they're mentioning the 1000 songs of the original iPod. Then, they?re releasing a device that doesn't hold as many songs and has a shorter battery life when combined with current cell phone features.
Second, they're comparing it to how the iPod changed everything. I feel, in personal audio, it did. Okay, actually the iTMS did. However, do they really think this phone will change everything? If so, why are they officially announcing its release in a campaign that almost puts it against the iPod. I mean if they're changing everything, again, shouldn't I lose my iPod and just get an iTune Phone.
On the other hand, in the end the phone doesn't seem like a big deal for Apple until they design their own - maybe with Motorola's help, like they have used Sony in the past. Apple software driving the phone. Apple makes their money off their iPods and skims some off of iTMS. The phone would be mainly Motorola's cash. iTunes on it is basically just an application with some licensing fees.
My analysis, I think Apple will announce some new products from San Francisco and then pass the floor to Motorola on the east coast to announce the phone. Or. No phone at all.
Then again maybe it?s something some are only hoping for:
1. Apple Media Center
2. Video iPod and iTunes 5
3. Updated Airports with streaming video
4. Higher capacity shuffles with playlists (no screen please)
5. Flash based iPod Mini with color screen
Palmer Deville
Palmer Deville, you are something else!
Thanks. I guess that's what years as an analyst does... Intelligence not market.
Just my opinions and my reasoning. Since I posted my take, Hardmac.com has posted their own. Hardmac states roughly the same thing with a slightly different reasoning.
I stand by my analysis and open to discussion.
Hey, it's all in fun anyway right. Who knows what Apple will do. They did release the "Mighty" Mouse after all, which is quite a name for something so ordinary. "Changing everything" to Apple is Steve walking up on stage.
Palmer Deville
I have Verizon and just bought a new phone yesterday, so this couldn't appeal to me any less. And even if I had Cingular I wouldn't get this blasted iTunes phone.
New iPods! New iPod minis! Something else besides a damn iTunes phone, please!
Originally posted by melgross
No comment.
heh. hang in there mel ... i really just cant wait for this fucking iPhone rubbish to be over and done with, and we can dropkick MotoLOSERS out the door. oh lords of kobol, please put us all out of our misery soon.
Originally posted by sunilraman
heh. hang in there mel ... i really just cant wait for this fucking iPhone rubbish to be over and done with, and we can dropkick MotoLOSERS out the door. oh lords of kobol, please put us all out of our misery soon.
Yeah. Get that damned arrow and shoot it at someone.
Originally posted by melgross
Yeah. Get that damned arrow and shoot it at someone.