Yes, the Apple Tablet is coming next week! But do you know what gets me even more excited? A new version of the iPhone. But how will it be different? Let's look at the rumors.
Will it be announced on January 27th?
While the original iPhone was announced in January 2007, a full six months before it was released, the 3G was announced two months before its release and most recent version, the 3GS, was announced a mere month before its release. There's no real reason for Apple to announce a new version of the iPhone months before its release at this point, and if they really are announcing the tablet on the 27th, there's no reason to overdo it by announcing both. The only way they'd announce it next week is if it was being released much sooner than anticipated. Probability: 20%
When is it coming out?
Yes, a new iPhone will be released this year. Foxconn, Apple's main manufacturer, is rumored to have already received the order. But when, exactly, should we expect to see it?
If Apple continues along the schedule they've stuck to for the past three iterations, look for the iPhone 4 to drop this summer. The original iPhone dropped on June 29, 2007, the 3G came on July 11, 2008 and the 3GS arrived on June 19, 2009. While there have been rumors about a new iPhone showing up in April, those are sketchy at best. The good money is on late June/Early July. Probability: 95%
Will it run on a 4G wireless network?
The 3G and 3GS both run on AT&T's 3G network, with the 3GS supporting thespeedier 7.2 Mbps HSDPA network. AT&T is also working on its 4G LTE network, and some people think the next-gen iPhone could run on that.
It's unlikely. 3G networks were technically available when the first iPhone was released, but Apple held off until the network was robust enough to handle a good number of people before releasing the 3G. And LTE phones are probably a good six months off still, so expect the new iPhone to continue running on the 7.2 Mbps HSDPA network.
The good news is that the network is far from running at full capacity, so as AT&T beefs it up we should see speeds increase until the v5 LTE iPhone shows up in 2011. Probability: 10%
OMG is it coming to Verizon?!
One analyst seems to think so, and he also claims Apple and Verizon are disagreeing on pricing. Unfortunately, these claims are just his assumptions and aren't based on any solid information, as is analyst's wont.
The real motivation for Apple to bring the phone to Verizon is that AT&T's serious network limitations in NYC and SF have given the iPhone's once-sterling reputation a black eye. Add to that the fact that Android is starting to encroach on Apple's hype train, and you've got the makings of a good time to expand to other networks.
No comments:
Post a Comment