3G iPhone on track for early '08?

It seems that a common theme in dialog regarding the iPhone has become, "I'll wait for version 2, thank you very much." The sentiment makes sense in some ways; after all, the first-gen model lacks key goodness (3G radio, open platform, removable battery), not to mention the fact that companies frequently fail to get the first version of anything perfectly spot-on. Problem with waiting for version 2, of course, is that whole "waiting" part -- but it maybe be a bit more painless than anyone had thought. AppleInsider is reporting that a Swedish carrier is reassuring a large client that the first 3G iPhone will be on shelves as soon as January of next year, silencing one of the largest criticisms -- EDGE data -- of the June '07 model. That said, there's no guarantee the 3G version will hop the Atlantic (or any other body of water, for that matter) in the same time frame; Apple might instead choose to starve North America of UMTS handsets the same way many manufacturers have. Furthermore, the model might be identical to its 2.5G equivalent in every other respect, leaving the battery and platform issues unaddressed. Still, the purely theoretical thought of over-the-air iTunes clipping along at HSDPA speeds is a tantalizing one, is it not?

[Darius @ Feb 23rd 2007 2:53PM]

The first iPhone hasn't even been released and you're already speculating on the second one? Damn, and I thought I wasn't going to have to listen to anymore of these rumors. Silly me.

Cheers,
Jarrod

[OBM @ Feb 23rd 2007 2:56PM]

Or...don't get it at all, because there are plenty of other, better PDA phones on the market. This feels like the iPod all over again, Steve Jobs thinks he invents everything he comes up with.

[trainwrecka @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:32PM]

um... if this is the ipod all over again the iphone would dominate in no time and become the market leader.... then M$ would release the ZunePhone to battle it... i hope it is the ipod all over again!

[David @ Feb 23rd 2007 4:11PM]

I'd love to know a few models of "better" phones. Except in a few aspects (3rd party programs, cingular only) I think iPhone wins.

[Blunt @ Feb 23rd 2007 5:08PM]

"I'd love to know a few models of "better" phones. Except in a few aspects (3rd party programs, cingular only) I think iPhone wins."

You forgot no 3G, which i think makes the iphone undesirable for a lot of people (like me), especially considering its cost. Although, I'll be interested to see how the next generation of iphones fare. I also wonder about the practicality of of having no physical keypad. I would imagine dialing by feel would be ridiculously hard.

But what i find really disappointing about the iphone is the non replaceable li-ion battery. At a 100% charge level, a typical Li-ion laptop battery that is full most of the time at 25 degrees Celsius or 77 degrees Fahrenheit, will irreversibly lose approximately 20% capacity per year.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_ion_battery) So in just two short years the battery can only hold 60% of it original charge and i don't know if thats enough to make it through a single day without the battery dieing. But don't worry, I'm sure by that time apple will be ready for the their loyal customers to drop another $600 for the latest revision. I really don't understand why Apple would elect to make the battery non-replaceable, but it is somewhat reminiscent of the ipod.

Also how would you even know if "iPhone wins" when compared to other phones until its released, and people can get their hands on them? cause really your just speculating, and any number of unknown problems could surface and prove the iphone to be complete and utter shit.

[Eric @ Feb 23rd 2007 2:58PM]

For me, I will stick to my Nokia e61 for quite a while. Lets face it, Nokia does EVERYTHING (apart from iTune integration) that stupid iPhone does.... the only differences is iPhone tries to everything in a fancy way. Considering the price premium i need to pay for being fancy and first gen testers, no thanks.

[MacVicta @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:14PM]

"Lets face it, Nokia does EVERYTHING (apart from iTune integration) that stupid iPhone does."

Other than Multi-Touch and the fact that half your E61's potential screen space is hobbled by its keyboard.

[ian mcgrady @ Feb 23rd 2007 4:29PM]

I agree as an e61 user. Also check out my comment on the end.

best regards,

Ian

[Cupajo @ Feb 23rd 2007 7:37PM]

"iTunes integration" is not a feature. It's a liability. iTunes is a horrible piece of software.

[Mike @ Feb 23rd 2007 2:58PM]

It seems pretty idiotic to force people to buy 2-year contracts with the iPhone if they're going to release new models every 6 months.

[trainwrecka @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:33PM]

um... that is what happens with current phones? or do your buy phones at full price and go month to month so you can buy the new version in 6 (more like 2) months?

[Bob @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:11PM]

So you think that they will make one with a removable battery. I'd like to introduce you to this device called an 'iPod', it should be able to clear that removable battery thought up nicely.

[JMac @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:14PM]

OBM, "Better PDA phones on the market"? Do tell. Or does OBM stand for 'oral bowel movement' and is a disclaimer for what follows?

[eric @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:45PM]

Why would i need multi-touch on a phone? A phone is a phone, for phone calls, sometimes text messages, at most MP3 playback, that's it... and all the reviews of iPhone suggested that this multi-touch thingy is at most "moderate" against conventional keyboard when it comes to typing ... (a lot of mistouch and errors but Apple got some really good error correction to compensate that).

Do you really think anyone is going to "surf the web" on those tiny screens? i don't care how much reso they have, let say even they have 1680x1050 on the iPhone screen, what does it matters? its still pain in an ass to surf on that.

[craig @ Feb 23rd 2007 7:02PM]

Still hawking that useless multitouch feature, MacVicta? Have you gone back and reviewed the Apple demos that fail to show it being used other than for scaling a photo? Is that not part of your regular iPhone worship? Did Jobs not script that for you?

Screen hobbled by the keyboard? Please! The iPhone is hobbled by its scrappy onscreen keyboard that will never work as well as the real thing.

Frankly, the Nokia E61 is the worst smartphone of the current breed but it's still better than the iPhone which doesn't exist at all. No one who uses such a device for serious text communication will want a device without a keyboard.

[Nabil @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:16PM]

Man, they don't even know if the iPhone will be a success, and they are already working on version 2.0

The iPhone will fail for 2 reasons:

1) The people who can afford it (Business men/women) don't want it (no outlook)
2) The people who want it (college students and medium wage families) can't afford it.

[Nate @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:45PM]

Nabil, you wrote, "Man, they don't even know if the iPhone will be a success, and they are already working on version 2.0

The iPhone will fail for 2 reasons:

1) The people who can afford it (Business men/women) don't want it (no outlook)
2) The people who want it (college students and medium wage families) can't afford it."

First off, every good company is already working on the next big thing. Otherwise they're going to fall behind and let other companies innovate. You could say the same thing about Microsoft, who is already working on the next version of Windows. You could say, "WOW. OMGZ!!!! THEY JUST RELEASED WINDOWS VISTA. PWNED." But you know what? They have to;

Second, for the love of God, let Apple release the product before you say it's going to fail. Apple clearly states that they will support syncing with PCs. It may not be with Outlook; it'll most definitely be with iTunes. We simply don't know how they're going to sync it with PCs. If they don't sync with Outlook, so what? If it makes phone calls, manages my contacts, is an iPod, can get me online, manages photos, and 100 other different things with complete ease and without crashing...I will start using iTunes to manage my contacts on my PC if that's what I have to do. But you know what? We don't even know if that's going to be the case because they haven't even ANNOUNCED it yet. Only David Pogue has mentioned in the NY Times that it doesn't sync with Outlook. This can be changed by June.

Also, the iPhone is adequately priced. I'm about to buy a goddamn Treo 750, which has got a lot of the same functionality of the iPhone but not the great user interface and lacks the iPod video capability, and that's going to cost me $399 with a 2-year contract. For $100 more, I can get an iPhone. Let me tell you from a guy who is in both categories 1 and 2: That $100 is well worth the upgrade. You're getting an iPod ($199) and a BlackBerry/Treo 700wx ($299) at the same price.

As for it completely failing...I can't wait until summer when they prove you wrong. That's what they said about Apple when they got into the music business. "WHAT?!? A COMPUTER COMPANY DOING MUSIC?" That's what they said about Microsoft getting into the gaming business. "WHAT?!? A SOFTWARE COMPANY GETTING INTO CONSOLES?" Thank God people like you were right and both of them failed miserably from those ventures.

Wait for a company to release a product before you criticize it...and wait for a company to fail before you actually start saying, "Aha! You failed!"

Positive, my friend. Stay positive. Apple getting into the cell phone business will only help the industry and spark new innovation from its new competitors. That's all I'm hoping for...the positive. :-)

[ian mcgrady @ Feb 23rd 2007 4:48PM]

check out my comment, which you might find interesting

[Sasha S. @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:21PM]

To people who claim that model xxx does everything and more then iPhone I have the following message:

43% of all mobile phone users in western Europe does not know how to put a phone number in the mobile phone's memory!!!! That is a slap in the face of every mobile phone manufacturer! Those people have never ever heard of Engadget and find buying airplane tickets or books a major hurdle. Those are the people who will pay an arm and a leg for a piece of technology that will make them feel good about themselves i.e. make them being able to use hot gadget and as a result make them FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES.

That, dear fellow geeks is something we can not uderstand that easily. Just like people who are naturally thin can never understand the troubles of majority of people who are fighting with their weight.

One thing is sure: Apple will make a boatloads of money but it will hopefully force arrogant companies like Nokia, SonyEriccson, Motorola, Samsung (to name just a few) to really start thinking about usability and start making devices that people can use WITHOUT reading user's manuals (most users do never ever read them to begin with).

[Jr @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:56PM]

Hey Sasha (I'm guessing you're the Sasha we all know and love):

True...and I don't think the US is any different. It's sort of like people who used to always have "12:00" flashing on their VCRs - not everyone gets technology, and companies that can bring it to the masses find a niche and can be very successful.

That being said, the very fact that Apple has locked itself into Cingular is the most distressing thing to me. I use Sprint, and while I might consider going to T-Mobile, I'd never go back to Cingular, even for the iPhone.

[len @ Feb 23rd 2007 5:49PM]

"43% of all mobile phone users in western Europe does not know how to put a phone number in the mobile phone's memory!!!!"

And you think a phone without a keyboard will somehow make this easier?

The Pilot beat the Newton because its text entry was easier and more accurate. The Treo and the BlackBerry created the smartphone market because keyboards are even easier than that.

[Rick @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:22PM]

It won't fail. People don't seem to understand that what Apple is doing is enhancing consumer-level phones. It's not supposed to be a Treo or similar. It's supposed to be a consumer-level communicator that's easy to use. The innovation isn't the phone aspect, it's bringing useable features to more people. That's what Apple has always done. Geeks always forget that they're not like the norm. Most people don't even care to discuss this stuff, let alone argue about a product's merits before it's even out.

Sheesh.

[craig @ Feb 23rd 2007 7:13PM]

How is a mobile internet net device that lacks a keyboard and an IM program an improvement on ease-of-use? We all know what Apple *says* it is doing with the iPhone, and yes we do understand it, but that doesn't mean that they are actually doing it. What you seem to fail to understand is that the Treo IS the standard for ease of use in such devices. PalmOS is an antiquated piece of crap and the form factor is old and stale, but the Treo apps themselves are better than anything on WM5, Symbian, etc.

BTW, the threaded text messaging concept being pushed by Apple in the iPhone was first done in the Treo. The wasteful, ugly bubble UI is all Apple, however. Apple lovers seem to be unable to distiguish between pretty and easy-to-use.

The supposed iPhone ease-of-use is all hype and eye candy. In reality, the complete lack of buttons and the style-over-function mentality Apple advances is an abomination to true ease-of-use.

[Iceman @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:33PM]

I still say the 3G iPhone is the FIRST iPhone that Europe will see. Apple is not stupid. In Europe, no 3G = no sale for a high-end phone. In the US, AT&T doesn't even have a 3G network so what's the point?

[Ben @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:53PM]

Yes they do ... its HSPA

[Ben @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:37PM]

"Other than Multi-Touch and the fact that half your E61's potential screen space is hobbled by its keyboard."

Does Apple include a cute, little square book called "Comebacks to Popular Apple Faults" with each iPod, and I just have missed it? Yes, iPhone is cool, but no, iPhone is not a cure for cancer, iPhone will not resolve the war in Iraq, iPhone will not make Paris Hilton go away, and (this one is important) iPhone is not going to be everything to everyone, so stop thinking like this. Some people want a real keyboard. Some people want to be able to install their own software on their phone. Some people want to be able to replace just the battery when it dies, not the phone. And most importantly, some people do NOT think that the sun shines out of Steve Job's ass.

[ian mcgrady @ Feb 23rd 2007 4:25PM]

The problem with this phone is that it is hosted by AT&T..., er, uh, Cingular.

Cingular is going to shift its branding to AT&T. AT&T has public ties to Bechtel (see AT&T website) and the National Security Administration (NSA) (see NYT). In fact, it appears AT&T allows the NSA unfettered access to ALL information.

And all that, on top of anywhere, any place access that AT&T is pushing -- is it that they're selling you anywhere, anyplace access to your media -- or are they selling anywhere, anyplace access to YOU?

I'm seriously surprised Steve Jobs would put Apple users in bed with the NSA like that. I'm also seriously surprised that no one is making a bigger stink about Cingular/AT&T's involvement in this deal. Apple users, intelligent and free, should threaten boycott until another carrier is solicited.

[rg @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:39PM]

If they were really smart, they'd put a MediaFLO tuner in this thing as well and build in some sort of "Apple TV - Mobile Edition" DVR/PVR software. (AWESOME)

Apple if you're listening, give me a call some time. I'm full of amazing ideas like this.

[Nabil @ Feb 23rd 2007 4:54PM]

Ok Nate,

You have a point that we should wait and see.

However, most people who buy a PDA/smart phone is because it can sync with their company's Microsoft Exchange server over wireless. I.E. They can get/send their WORK email, and calendar items live, while they are on the road. The Microsoft Exchange server by default, allows pda/smart phones to sync.

Also, the company buys the phone, out of company funds, specifically for that functionality of syncing with the exchange server.

Now since this group won't be able to sync with their company's exchange server, then they won't buy the iphone, which means that they Apple will loose 80% of the PDA/smart phone audience.

[craig @ Feb 23rd 2007 7:30PM]

The multitouch feature is NOT used to enhance the on-screen keyboard. Watch the demos carefully. They show two simultaneous fingers but leaving one finger down accomplishes nothing.

Apple claims that the screen keyboard has wider buttons than a traditional PDA QWERTY keyboard but that is physically impossible. The keys are laid out in the identical manner and the overall width of the device is not greater after all. Combine that with no stylus support, fat fingers, and no tactile feedback and you have a sure loser. The iPhone is pretty but its keyboard implementation can never be anything but a liability and, from looking at the demo, Apple's on-screen KB is the worst I've ever seen.

[v_dogg @ Feb 23rd 2007 11:17PM]

actually I would surf the web on that thing. i could be at starbucks and enjoy a nice email check, or engadget post. and multi touch is freakin sweet. especially with photos, it looks like it works flawlessly and with much ease.

[Leonard Nimrod @ Feb 23rd 2007 6:52PM]

@ Jr,

I agree with your feelings about Cingular,but Apple had no choice but to either a) team up with a carrier, or b) become its own carrier.

Visual Voicemail can only occur if the manufacturer and the carrier collaborate. This is one of many things to come that will pull the cell phone industry in the US from its current stagnant state.

For once the manufacturer is dictating what the carrier will do. Love it or hate it, the iPhone will help everyone who uses a cellphone; regardless of the carrier or manufacturer.

[Lil @ Mar 19th 2007 9:49PM]

"It's sort of like people who used to always have "12:00" flashing on their VCRs - not everyone gets technology"

Jr, why'd you have to bring my parents into this? LOL!!

[salado @ Feb 23rd 2007 4:04PM]

One thing disappointing is that the resolution is too low. If it's 720x480... Yummy...

[Nabil @ Feb 23rd 2007 5:03PM]

Come on, What do you have against the "Illegal Spying Program", I mean the "Non white Christian Surveillance Program", I mean the "Non-Republican Surveillance Program", I mean the "founding fathers would be rolling in their graves if they only knew about this Program" I mean the "Terrorist Surveillance Program".

Finally got the name down :)

[krizoitz @ Feb 23rd 2007 5:10PM]

iPhone is not going to be everything to everyone, so stop thinking like this. Some people want a real keyboard. Some people want to be able to install their own software on their phone. Some people want to be able to replace just the battery when it dies, not the phone. And most importantly, some people do NOT think that the sun shines out of Steve Job's ass.

Precisely, except for one thing, its not the fans of the iPhone who need to realize this, its the critics. No one, not even Apple is claiming that this phone is for EVERYONE. Its the same damn thing I see from people who visit gadget sites like this, they ASSUME that every thing out there is aimed at them even though they represent a mere FRACTION of the market. No 3G? No big deal. Why? Because most of the people in this country don't use it or know what the hell it even is!

If you really really need 3G then the iPhone is not for you. If you really really need to edit word docs and spreadsheets on your cell phone, first i think you need a laptop instead, and second, the iPhone is not for you. But if you use your phone like 90% of the people out there, primarily for text and phone conversations, and you'd like to not have to carry around an ipod while your at it, then the iPhone might be for you! And to the people who say "well phone XXX allready does this", so what?!? Just because something else does it too, doesn't mean it does it WELL. If no one ever released a product that did something another product allready did, well hell, we'd have a pretty crappy world.

Also, the person who complained about the two year contract thing, um, if you get a two year contract now they still release upgraded versions of cell phones, whats the difference?

And the person who complained about the battery, um, do you actually carry around a second battery for your current cell phone? If you do you'd be the first person i've met who does...

[Blunt @ Feb 23rd 2007 5:35PM]

"And the person who complained about the battery, um, do you actually carry around a second battery for your current cell phone? If you do you'd be the first person i've met who does..."

?????????????????????????????


I was referring to the fact that Li-ion batteries lose their capacity over time. I didn't say I wanted to carry around a fully charged battery in my pocket for when my phone dies.

[Blunt @ Feb 23rd 2007 5:43PM]

Like my ipods battery only lasts about half as long on a full charge as it did when it was new. Obviously there is a demand for 3G in the iphone, read the article your posting in. And im sure it will apear in a later revision of the iphone. Also i want 3g to use as a modem for my lap top b/c its data rates are cheaper with a phone as opposed to a card.

[Gregorinho @ Jun 26th 2007 11:55PM]

You've hit the nail on the head. The thing that Apple does is make products that people want to use and that they feel good about using. That's why they made those pretty colored iMacs. That's why they put a scroll wheel on the iPod. That's why, way back when, they put a GUI on the personal computer. There were, are and will always be products out there that do all of the things that Apple products do, and do them faster, longer and for more people than their Apple made rivals. But I can pretty much guarantee that those products won't feel as slick when you use them, those products won't have people camping out to buy them, and those products won't make the cover of Time Magazine. Apple makes products that people love (as much as you can love an inanimate object). When's the last time you heard someone say they loved their Crack, err, Blackberry?

[Sasha S. @ Feb 23rd 2007 6:41PM]

len,

from the standpoint of usability - it is completely irrelevant if the phone has fixed keyboard or not. If a manufacturer wants to focus on users they can make one which is easy to use regardless what approach they take keyboard wise.

The fact is: current mobile phones are difficult to use and are not user friendly. Fact also is: Apple's DNA is making products that just work and that are VERY easy to use.

Judging from the demo I think Apple has done the good job and this will be one phone my 95 yo granny will be able to use and use ALL of its abilities.

I have worked for 2 years in the leading telecom research institute in western Europe and I have see exactly how deep the rabbit hole goes - in short: I can tell you that clients needs are NOT, repeat NOT on anyone's agenda: neither telecom operators nor headset manufacturers.

Hmm, the more I think about this the more I am sure that Apple will seriously dent profits of headset manufacturers and hopefully teach operators how to treat their clients with respect they deserve (it is about time).

[Gus @ Feb 23rd 2007 6:34PM]

Wow, guys, props in the "Fail" link! Right on!

[craig @ Feb 23rd 2007 7:32PM]

I'd be interested in seeing your 95 year old granny use and understand the capabilities of the iPhone. Somehow I doubt such a woman would understand, appreciate, or need texting, mobile internet use, iPod and multimedia features on a 3.5" screen and I'd wonder how that inferior screen keyboard will work with her arthritic fingers.

I also do not accept your claim that an onscreen keyboard can be made to work as well as a dedicated one. The market has refined these devices and history has shown that you are wrong.

Finally, your claim that Apple's DNA is somehow working magic on smartphones is pure fanboyism.

[Dave Hunwick @ Feb 26th 2007 10:07AM]

Craig Craig Craig, You sound like you are the proud owner of a 8 track player, b&w TV, colecovision and a Model T. Technology stops for no one my friend. Either get on the train or get left at the station. The technologies in the iPhone are the future and will become the de facto standard soon so get used to it.

[Mike @ Feb 23rd 2007 7:02PM]

I think Apple wants the 3G version out soon, and in America. After all, Cingular does have 3G in my area and many others, and is deploying it everywhere else. I think the problem is more that it sucks battery power, takes space, adds heat and so on. But they figured why delay the launch another six months for this extra engineering, since it is a workable phone without it (though I want it bad). So I expect a follow on rather quickly. I'm getting the first model and selling when the new one comes out. -Mike from myallo;.com

[Ben @ Feb 23rd 2007 7:09PM]

people keep throwing the "Steve said it is easy to use" card (obviously from "Comebacks to Apple Faults"), and it very well could be, but do you think someone who can't add a number to their phonebook is going to spend $600 on a phone? They go to the store and ask, "Whats Free?"

[beanspants @ Feb 23rd 2007 7:19PM]

you people really think cingular reads your text messages, records your calls, and delivers them to the NSA, along with your location data?

seriously?

that's too funny coming from someone who knows the truth.

[PEZ @ Feb 23rd 2007 7:47PM]

I wold tend to think the Jan iPhone with 3G is the one slated for Europe in early 08 anyway - no Carrier would want a phone, regardless of who made it if it didnt have a 3G radio. 3G has been prevailant in UK and EU for several years now. No reason to back track.

Also - a removable battery? if the iPods dont have one yet, the iPhone wont. That simple.

[Jake @ Feb 23rd 2007 11:21PM]

The iPhone will be incredible successful for one big reason. Steve Jobs knows how to pitch to the successful baby boomer generation as well as the young folks. Aren't the highest grossing bands folks like the Rolling Stones who appeal to the rich 50 and older folk who have income to spend on the iPhone? Steve Jobs is a icon and the iPhone will go down as a iconic device that baby boomer want to be identified with.

This phone would sell even without internet capabilities. Look at the iPod? It has crushed Palm's TX handheld in saes which lets you surf the web and play mp3's. Palm would be the logical choice but who said life was logical?

[Ben @ Feb 24th 2007 12:38AM]

A Palm TX is a PDA. Similar to: Handpsring Visor, Sony clie

An iPod is a MP3 player. Similar to: Creative Zen, Microsoft Zune, SanDisk Sansa


I just thought I would point this, because I am not sure you realize the difference, because I am not sure you realized there was one.

[M@ @ Jul 11th 2007 11:08PM]

Uh, Jake, it's a PDA that surfs the web and plays video (as does an iPod for that matter) and has 1.2% of the storage of an iPod. It's a silly comparison. If I wanted a PMP, I would consider an iPod. If I wanted a PDA, I'd consider (extremely briefly) a Palm TX.

Your point does still stand though, because there are many other PMPs that are far more feature-rich than the iPod but don't sell nearly as well because they either aren't as user-friendly, or aren't marketed nearly as well.