General Apple Megathread

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Russic

Given the history I'd be shocked if they go from 5 straight to 6. That being said, many have commented that the 's' iterations make the consumer feel like the jumps are half steps (and arguably they are). Personally I think Apple spends more time looking at their swimming pools full of money than listening to pundits who tell them what they should do.

Rumours are pretty sparse at the moment, but many are saying that plastic backs have popped up that could be the start of a less-expensive version:

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#iPhone

If those are to be believed, it doesn't look like much of a physical difference size-wise.

In my humble opinion, it's far, far more likely that there is no plastic iPhone. If those pictures are indicative of anything, it would be of anodized aluminum iPhones adopting more of the iPad Mini/Nano/Touch design language (the curved edges and rounded corners), and bright colours to go with the brighter look of iOS 7. It's widely speculated the 10" iPad will adopt the Mini's curves, so it's probably time for the iPhone to as well.

Further, what Apple products are made of plastic? Outside of the networking gear and the Apple TV, I can't think of any.

[Russic]

I actually agree. Apple doesn't aim for the discount market and they have a certain level of pride about that. The rumours are pointing to a plastic iPhone, but it's important to remember there are many third-party manufacturers out there that make alternate back cases for iPhones.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Russic

I actually agree. Apple doesn't aim for the discount market and they have a certain level of pride about that. The rumours are pointing to a plastic iPhone, but it's important to remember there are many third-party manufacturers out there that make alternate back cases for iPhones.

The only reason Apple would do plastic would be to preserve margins, and I think that is unlikely - they demonstrated with the iPad Mini that they were perfectly content to take a hit on margin and also cannibalize their own sales to push the platform to the forefront. They've said that in several investor relations sessions, so I have little doubt that they will do the same thing in the "budget iPhone" space if they choose to take that angle.

However, I'm going to make my prediction which is that there is no budget iPhone - there is only the next iPhone. The iPhone 5 will be the budget phone, just like the 4S was to the 5, and the 3GS was to the 4 (and to the 4GS simultaneously I believe). The significant factor in all of this is that we know the 4GS will run iOS 7, and from videos I've seen, runs it not too badly.

Besides, new colours won't go on a budget phone because I can say with almost absolute certainty that they will become the hot new thing, and if so, you might as well make that the premium price product.

[Russic]

It's looking like September 10 will be the announcement for the new iPhone. Rumours are one thing, but Dalrymple is quite another:

AllThingsD has an excellent track record with such reports, suggesting that the event will indeed take place on that date, but in case there was any doubt, The Loop's Jim Dalrymple is now confirming the report with a simple "Yep" post.

Dalrymple is well connected at Apple and has on many occasions either confirmed or refuted other reports and rumors in simple one-word posts with 100% accuracy. Such reports are generally taken as coming directly from Apple but delivered through an unofficial channel.

Quite excited for this one as I'm ready to upgrade. All I really care for is camera upgrades at this point. That's easily the most important function on the phone for me.

[RedMileDJ]

2 new iPhones will be announced on September 10th:

iPhone 5c : plastic housing, no front camera, IOS7.

iPhone 5s: metal/glass housing, upgraded camera, finger print identification (unlock), IOS7.

There are other features that will be announced as well.

[RedMileDJ]

We can also expect some teasing and maybe a look at the iWatch (smart watch).

[RedMileDJ]

I also work in the industry. I can't say more than that, but I do get some "inside" looks at what potential vendors and suppliers are planning for up-coming phones.

Originally Posted by Red-Mile-DJ

2 new iPhones will be announced on September 10th:

iPhone 5c : plastic housing, no front camera, IOS7.

iPhone 5s: metal/glass housing, upgraded camera, finger print identification (unlock), IOS7.

There are other features that will be announced as well.

Originally Posted by Red-Mile-DJ

We can also expect some teasing and maybe a look at the iWatch (smart watch).

http://www.macrumors.com/2013/08/13/...-on-iphone-5s/

In terms of the phone itself, we expect the cheaper phone to have a plastic casing, 4" display, and lower end internal specs (processor, camera, memory, etc.) than the 5S/5 line up. Additionally, we believe that Apple may exclude some software features, such as Siri, which we note was not an option on the iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4 upon launch.

In his note, Munster predicts that the iPhone 5C will not come with Siri, the intelligent personal assistant within iOS, and that the device will replace the iPhone 4S at the bottom of the iPhone lineup. Munster also believes that the lower-cost iPhone will sell for an estimated $300 off-contract.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Isn't/wasn't Siri supposed to be a killer feature for the iPhone? Why the hell would the purposely leave it out?

[CubicleGeek]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Isn't/wasn't Siri supposed to be a killer feature for the iPhone? Why the hell would the purposely leave it out?

If I were to guess, to keep the flagship phones more attractive at their higher price point.

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by CubicleGeek

If I were to guess, to keep the flagship phones more attractive at their higher price point.

You want consumers to "need to buy" the flagship phone and only have the cheap phone so share holders get all excited with the amount of volume sales in india and china

[sclitheroe]

There is zero chance it won't have a Facetime camera. Zero.

[Rathji]

Its one more premium feature to drive people to the 5S.

It makes perfect sense for them to leave it out, other than it likely costs them a buck to put it in.

[Anduril]

There are a number of things I could imagine them leaving out, but the front camera? That's tough.

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Isn't/wasn't Siri supposed to be a killer feature for the iPhone? Why the hell would the purposely leave it out?

Does anyone else use Siri frequently? I have had it off since I bought my iPhone5 at launch because frankly it sucked for me.

Why on earth does it take 20 seconds to voice dial someone on Siri, when the built in old assistant takes 3 seconds. Why is it not smart enough not to ping the internet first, and just go right to contacts. Just really annoying.

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

Does anyone else use Siri frequently? I have had it off since I bought my iPhone5 at launch because frankly it sucked for me.

Why on earth does it take 20 seconds to voice dial someone on Siri, when the built in old assistant takes 3 seconds. Why is it not smart enough not to ping the internet first, and just go right to contacts. Just really annoying.

I used Siri every day for hands free usage of my phone in the car.

[CubicleGeek]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

Does anyone else use Siri frequently? I have had it off since I bought my iPhone5 at launch because frankly it sucked for me.

I would use Siri more if there was a way I can unlock my phone through voice activation. It does a pretty decent job of reading your text/iMessages and allowing you to respond. But it won't allow access to text on the lock screen and it is a pain in the ass to turn off the autolock before I drive or before I start walking. The latter isn't so bad in the summer, but in the winter bundled up with the phone on an inside pocket is a pain to access the device.

I also like using Siri for turn-by-turn. Too bad Apple maps suck so much that I always use google maps to validate the address before using it for navigation...

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Rathji

Its one more premium feature to drive people to the 5S.

It makes perfect sense for them to leave it out, other than it likely costs them a buck to put it in.

It also completely flies in the face of their advertising angle on the iPhone - they have only one product now without the Facetime camera, that being the extremely low end iPod Touch (which, coincidentally, is the one that doesn't come in multiple colours, which is why I expect the 5S to come in colours - Apple isn't going to give you the premium paint jobs on the low end device)

It's fun to debate, everyone has a different angle on how they'd position the products

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

I used Siri every day for hands free usage of my phone in the car.

I use it every day so my daughter's bath doesn't overflow "new 4 minute timer"...done

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

It also completely flies in the face of their advertising angle on the iPhone - they have only one product now without the Facetime camera, that being the extremely low end iPod Touch (which, coincidentally, is the one that doesn't come in multiple colours, which is why I expect the 5S to come in colours - Apple isn't going to give you the premium paint jobs on the low end device)

It's fun to debate, everyone has a different angle on how they'd position the products

It does, which makes me wonder, will they even put effort into marketing it in NA since the target market for such a device is obviously in SE Asia?

edit: As soon as I posted, I realized the teen market would likely use this product heavily. Parents who buy iPhones would almost certainly be willing to pay for a cheap iPhone before they paid for a full featured one. For example, we bought my niece and nephew iPod Touches last Christmas for about $229 (I think?). I would have rather got them one of these phones for $300.

[You Need a Thneed]

So, what else are we expecting at the Sept 10 keynote?

Quite certain:

iPhone 5c
iPhone 5s
More features shown for iOS7 - probably release date given
New Apple TV seems likely- with beta software for it out to developers.
Release date for Mac Pro?

Less Likely:

New iPad/iPad mini?
New bigger iPad?
New iPod touch
New iPod nano
New Macbook Pro?
New iPod Shuffle?