TiPb Speculates: What if Apple Unveils iPhone 4.0 HD in January?
Given the rumors culminating today in the Tuesday, January 26th Special Media Event mother of all rumors, the speculation about the when is only compounded by the what, and on that raging inferno of fantasy, TiPb is once again wondering if maybe not only (or not even) an iTablet fits the bill — but an iPhone 4.0 unveiled early in advance of an iPhone HD.
Yes, we’re speculating about iPhone HD again (not just 5 megapixel cameras, thanksfortheflash). As we’ve noted many times, iPhone 3.2 has been screamingly loud in its absence, and one of the reasons we keep hearing being whispered is that’s because Apple’s investing all their energy into iPhone 4.0.
In the last year, devices like the Android Droid (and especially Nexus One) and Windows Mobile HD2 have been in-Apple’s-face about taking it to the iPhone in terms of size and quality of the displays, and while TiPb was straight-up wrong in thinking Apple would give us an iPhone HD in 2009, could they afford not to, competitively, make that jump in 2010?
If they do, it will break the much-ballyhooed “single platform” model of the iPhone that so appeals to developers, but that’s already straining under GSP/no-GPS, cell/no-cell, Cortex A8 processor/old slow, processor today. Apple will need to suck up the screen size break at some point, and if they do, holding an event in January rather than March like they’ve done for the previous two years would give developers more time to adapt their applications to fill an (AM)OLED WVGA screen (480 by 800something).
No other change, not 802.11n, HD-TV out, WiFi Direct, iTunes TV subscriptions, even multitasking or better notification system, the ever-popular glowing Apple logo, or even a shift to multi-core chips, will likely affect more developers in more ways than a jump in screen size. And if Apple is planning to show off an iTablet, either in January or in the near future, getting developers thinking about resolution independence sooner is much better than later.
Could that be why there’s signs of iPhone 4.0 and a 4th generation iPhone? Or is that just part of the regular cycle just like years past, and this just more fanboy-fed speculation, just like years past?
In January 2007 Steve Jobs showed off the almost final Apple TV and introduced the iPhone. In January 2010 could he show off the iPhone HD and introduce the iTablet?
(Tip of the hat to antonioj for speculative re-enforcement)
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:13 pm
All of the pieces fit, let’s hope so
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Hmm….I wonder what this means for the “Apple Tablet”?
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Maybe a new radio that hooks up all the time? No more dropped calls, no direct to vmail.
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:30 pm
it’s interesting you focus on “screen size” and also mention that no other changes, not n wifi, etc “will affect developers more.” I am not a developer, or an iphone owner for that matter (but i like to keep abreast of things for possible future purchases), I am a consumer. And i have never ever considered the screen size in buying a device. It may affect devolpers but as a consumer it’s not even on my radar of interest. i heard in the palmcast someone mention that the pre had a plastic screen. It honestly didn’t occur to me until that moment.
As a consumer, what would sell me on the phone is all the “other things” you mention. Multitasking, better notification, a better camera, well along with leaving at&t.
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Tom, quit whining about AT&T problems. Call AT&T customer support, they can’t hear you whine here. Or move to Canada.
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Elric, you can call AT&T customer support but they won’t be able to her you either when the call drops.
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Screen size and resolution is huge deal for me. The iPhone is all about the screen! I’m not that impressed by the Droid in general, but it’s sure got a sweet screen. The iPhone’s screen looks small and blurry by comparison. I can’t imagine Apple would keep the old screen in face of the new competition.
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Bring on the glowing logo.!!!!!!!!!
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:39 pm
IMHO, Apple made a huge mistake with the 3gs. Although you can see after using it that it is much much faster, the peceived minor upgrade didn’t help move the iPhone brand further along. Apple was supposed to be the leader, but just months after the 3gs became available, Motorola came out with the much higher res screen and HTC came out with phones featuring the 1 ghz snapdragon. I don’t see how Apple can wait until June/July to come out with a new iPhone. And, the fact that no mention of software updates have come out, if Apple doesn’t come out with a new iPhone in January, that tells me they are kicking back and enjoying the profits rather than working to improve the platform. I hope it just means the 3g and 3gs have seen their last software update, and the 4g is imminent.
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:23 pm
After all the predctions and hype, here’s what I expect: 1) iPhone OS 4.0 announcement 2) updated MacBook pro and mac pro line
and possibly a tablet intro and an iTunes subscription for tv shows.
They won’t intro new iPhone hardware until June, but 4.0 could come early for everyone to keep them happy. =]
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Elric
spent 45 minutes on the phone two weeks ago and another 40 yesterday. They have no explanation of what the issues are caused by except the iPhone. Apple says it’s ATT and AT&T says it’s apple. I’m getting tired of the crappy radio that doesn’t hold onto a call or picks up a call.
Have a 299 piece of junk.
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:42 pm
I’m pretty sure screen size and everything is important, but honestly multitasking, better notification system, etc.etc.ETC. needs to be implemented as well. Apples iPhone OS fell way behind in a matter of months after the 3gS release. Like another commenter said, it was a huge mistake putting minor updates to the 3gs. I was disappointed with it. They not only need to catch up to other platforms software and hardware wise, but in order to implement a long-term standard for the other platforms, they also need to put in something thats never before seen.
I have a feeling I might be disappointed with this upcoming iPhone because I just don’t see Apple putting in the effort to put what they need to into this next iPhone. Android is growing, and growing fast for that matter. It’ll only be a matter of time before it becomes used by more and more manufacturers and becomes more and more popular. iPhone changed the game, Android is going to change the iPhone (let that be good or bad)
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Aw, c’mon. Someone has to say something about a CDMA iPhone.
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Read my lips – no new iPhone announcement in January. Why? It’s too soon for Apple. They don’t work on anyones timeline but their own, which is why they make such great products.
Now maybe a tablet? It is about time, and I’m thinking the full resolution rumors are for a larger screen – thus the tablet makes sense.
Also I think their may be some integration with LaLa.com on the rumored tablet but that might be a stretch.
December 23rd, 2009 at 10:47 pm
I agree rushing a new phone to the market 6 months ahead of schedule would be a HUGE mistake. Give us 4.0 in January, then unload the IPHONE HD in June/July with a 1ghz processor and better resolution on the screen. that makes more sense. Let all the people who are going to jump ship to the droid get stuck in two year contracts with verizon and let us on ATT laugh as they have to pay all the extra money to break there contract to come back to the best and fastest 3g network.
December 23rd, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Well I hope it is better than the Iphone 3g and they get rid of the plastic and not do just small upgrades but a full rehaul. But i still love my 2g and 3g
December 23rd, 2009 at 11:11 pm
A pure software is in the realm of believable fantasy, but Apple is not going to announce publicly any major hardware upgrade far ahead of launch simply because such an announcement would torpedo 3G/3Gs sales. Apple is smart enough to make the window between announcement and release as small as possible to minimize that negative sales effect. Of course, if any components change that require advance FCC filings, then of course Apple will have to disclose on that schedule — but a larger screen ain’t one of them.
December 23rd, 2009 at 11:16 pm
I honestly could care less about screen resolution and screen size, yah it’s nice but as far as practicality goes for me it’s not necessary.
I would like to see the phone itself changed, I have said it before and I’ll say it again, I’ve seen some pretty nice looking concepts for iPhone 4.0 done by fans and would love to have my hands on one! Check out this link: http://www.siftwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/iphone4gcortexa8basedarmchip.jpg. Friggin beautifu, still slim, sleek and simple. I would LOVE to see something like this in June.
Software: I need better notifications, especially for mail, I know that’s more of a google issue with gmail but I even have the exchange going and messages are still delayed. But honestly, there’s not too much more I care about, the phone gets the job done for me for the most part. I have no AT&T problems (Baltimore,MD) so I’m good on that front.
Would love an iTablet.
December 24th, 2009 at 12:48 am
Itablet for FTW.
December 24th, 2009 at 12:58 am
I’d love to see a hardware update as well. I have to disagree with a couple of the opinions here as i think that the 3GS is amazing. Literally twice as fast at webpage rendering and opening of most applications. To me, that is a huge deal.
I think that it would be nice to have a slightly larger screen with higher res.
We are due for the 4.0 update as well. Flash support, multitasking, multi-notification solution, and definitely the ability to customize themes and organize apps better.
December 24th, 2009 at 1:08 am
Well hopefully the new iphone would be better than these androids considering iphone cant touch it
December 24th, 2009 at 1:23 am
I agree with some of the people here: Announcing HD long before the release would be a bad idea. Sales would come to a stand still. But people that must have a new phone wouldn’t buy the phone that is months away from releasing a predecesor. I see an OS update, but I think 4.0 will wait untill the next phone comes out. We’re all just very excited about 3.2, sadly. This late January event is going to be for the Tablet (finally). I think they might slash the highend iphone’s price a little, $50 at the most. I’m talkin 3GS 32gb, but probably nothing else. Apple knows competitors are there, but Apple was a multimillion dollar cooperation before Google was even dreamt.
This is all speculation, but it’s all that any of us have.
December 24th, 2009 at 1:26 am
**TiPb was straight-up wrong in thinking Apple would give us an iPhone HD in 2009, **
No, not wrong, just just ahead of the curve…
December 24th, 2009 at 1:28 am
Once again, I urge you to think positively about a 3.5 G and WiFi/wiMAX iTablet that can run iPhone apps & games, iChat, VoIP- like GoogleVoice and Skype, AND multitasking. Add an iLife Lite suite of apps built in and optional iWork and MobileMe (no hard disk, flash memory with OS in ROM) and a touchscreen version of SnowLeopard (why else do you think “honey, we shrank the OS?”) and you’ve got an evey-other-device killer!
December 24th, 2009 at 1:38 am
@Joe McG: Quote:
I think you are spot on, and Strand Consult does too. They have stated that the 3GS mostly simply Cannibalized their own user base.
It was a stop gap move to validate a new processor and lure all the expiring 2G iPhone users into upgrading rather than buying something else. Sales figures of 3GS units don’t anywhere near as impressive as you might suspect.
However, July-ish time frame sounds like a smart release date to pick up all those expiring 3G early adapters ready to trade up, and once again bilk those gotta-have-it users that paid ETF to get a 3GS before their 3G contract was up.
December 24th, 2009 at 2:57 am
I don’t know why so many are critical of the 3GS. Steve Jobs wasn’t there hands-on for the 3rd gen so Apple was not going to do anything major without him around. It was a “add more power and just don’t screw it up” type of thing.
Steve Jobs works on his own timeline and I hope it continues. We don’t want Apple rushing out mobile devices now like RIM does.
December 24th, 2009 at 4:54 am
Ohhh can’t wait… 4.0 I hope….
December 24th, 2009 at 7:36 am
No higher resolutions screen in 2010 for the new iPhone. How much do you wanna bet?
December 24th, 2009 at 7:44 am
It’s probably going to be an iTablet. I agree that, although cool, an HD iPhone this early wouldn’t be normal SOP for them…
But then again you never know with these guys. The only person who really knows is Steve… and he ain’t talking.
December 24th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Why do people think announcing a new iPhone in January would be rushing it out? HTC comes put with new phones every 8 weeks. It doesn’t take a year to come out with an upgraded iPhone…
PS. The 3GS hardware is greatly underutilized by the software. It runs backgrounder and winterboard etc without even breaking a sweat. I think a 3gs only software update could be in order…
December 24th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Eaxactly Joe. I can’t wait for some much needed upgrades in the software. 3GS is consistently smoking everything out even if these other phones have larger processors or cameras with more pixels. Where it fails is in simplicity. Too many taps to get to settings. Should have a drop down menu. Shouldnt have to leave an app to reply to a text at the very least right now. These sorts of things are what make me more interested in other phones because it’s now tiresome. I’m ultimately satisfied but seriously come on guys.
December 24th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Question. When you guys talk about HD iPhone do you mean watch HD movies and tv ? Or record video in HD ? I sure hope it’s record video in HD. I don’t see nothing to great of having a great picture in such a small screen. IMHO
December 25th, 2009 at 6:18 am
I am not an expert on smart phones, but I have been using them ever since I can remember for work.I have purchased an iPhone 3gs 4 months ago and it is by far the best smart phone I have used, yes it does lack certain functions but thats not an issue, it’s fun to use and very practicle for my purpose. If the iPhone is as bad as many make it out to be why are other brands always compared to the iPhone ?.
December 29th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I believe Apple needs to do something soon. An iPhone 4.0 release in late January would do wonders to help ward off the Google and Motorola Android push a bit.
January 3rd, 2010 at 10:03 am
After having my 3G for over year i can say that i am looking for 3 big features with the new phone: Running more than one app at a time (would like to text and surf internet at the same time), An upgraded processor, and a fix for all the random bugs 3G has (Had to replace my 3G in october due to an itunes bug during 3.1 update) anything else would just be frosting on the cake. Though if they don’t get fixed i may try a different phone when my contract is up.
January 4th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
I don’t know why so many people compare the iPhone to any other platform, it is the iPhone and it is made by Apple and they do not go by anybody else’s time lines or rules. To increase the screen resolution would break the single platform goal, a faster processor and graphics chipset does not alter much but an increase in resolution would break the App Store and the platform.
If you want a faster phone with a higher screen resolution then go and buy one with that, you won’t get the integration that the iPhone enjoys or the App Store variety. People buy Apple products because of the brand image and quality not the specifications, look at the Mac range, that is why Apple will stick to the platform and there own time line.
January 16th, 2010 at 6:22 am
If the next iPhone were to sport a larger screen, I should imagine the thousands of apps would require stretching to fit the screen. The alternatives for Apple are to just not bother and stick with a tried-and-tested screen size, or there is another option which I’ve just thought of: double-tapping to zoom. In other words, the app would load at its original resolution, and the user has the option to enlarge the app by double-tapping on the black empty space around the app.
This gives the user the option to maximise the size of their app, at the expense of an ever-so-slightly distorted app.
Just thinking out loud as a software graphics designer…
January 16th, 2010 at 6:26 am
Also, the next iPhone NEEDS an external camera button, preferably on the bottom-right of the housing. Or, just make the Volume Up button work as a ‘take photo’ and ‘record video’ button only when the camera is active.
January 22nd, 2010 at 2:04 pm
and maybe the paint splotches on the banner of their upcoming event means more then Black and White…maybe it will be like the nano and get several different colors
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Ditto what 38 said – and EXTERNAL camera button pls mr jobs.