least to the carriers).
online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870465710457...
Anyone else snicker when they saw that the phone's code-name is N97? The first thing I thought of was Nokia's disastrous N97, which also came in a mini version.
Discussion about
WSJ reports that Apple is working on a smaller version of the iPhone, code-named N97, that will be half the size of the iPhone 4 and cost about half as much (at…
The thing I find interesting (socially) is the differences in perceptions.
On one hand we have firms like Samsung/HTC/Motorola that have made 4inch's the standard screen size for all their new phones and people do not seem to mind as long as the device is thin.
On the other hand there are some people who seem to clamor for the idea of a smaller phone (ala the Palm Pixi).
Imho screen size is appreciated by people who do a lot of web browsing and video on the devices but choice is a very important thing and not everyone uses their devices in the exact same ways.
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As big a disaster as the N97 was, the N97 mini (3.2inch's) sold a lot better than the original and rectified the errors of the original (c drive, camera lens, ram etc).
On one hand we have firms like Samsung/HTC/Motorola that have made 4inch's the standard screen size for all their new phones and people do not seem to mind as long as the device is thin.
On the other hand there are some people who seem to clamor for the idea of a smaller phone (ala the Palm Pixi).
Imho screen size is appreciated by people who do a lot of web browsing and video on the devices but choice is a very important thing and not everyone uses their devices in the exact same ways.
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As big a disaster as the N97 was, the N97 mini (3.2inch's) sold a lot better than the original and rectified the errors of the original (c drive, camera lens, ram etc).
I know most guys and gadget freaks are laughing this one off as silly, but I happen to live with a wonderful woman who would love to have a smaller touch screen phone. When we bought her last phone (out right) she skipped on the Droid X and the such for a Droid 2, simply because it fit in her pocket better.
If Apple were to adjust the Iphone sizes to ~4 and ~3 inches and price them accordingly it would be a boon for them in sales. It's an Apple Rumor though and we know how long it takes for those to come to fruition.... (VZW iPhone)
If Apple were to adjust the Iphone sizes to ~4 and ~3 inches and price them accordingly it would be a boon for them in sales. It's an Apple Rumor though and we know how long it takes for those to come to fruition.... (VZW iPhone)
I feel that was just a matter of "when" and not "if". Just look at premium auto brands, like BMW and AUDI, that have introduced lower end, more affordable, models over the years. And plan to keep doing so.
It makes perfect sense for Apple to do the same. Not only with a mini-iPhone, but also with 2 iPad models (which would go in hand in the rumored introduction of a new iPad 3 late Summer.)
So you recall how the iPad price was slashed in half during the official announcement?
Just imagine if Apple would pull a similar stunt during the iPad 2 announcement, but this time starting with $499 and bringing it down to nearly half?
Apple could certainly do it, they have the volume production no other tablet maker has at the moment, and we can all imagine how a "$249" iPad 2... would completely disrupt the tablet market as it stands... Forcing Android Tablet makers to really have to rethink their all strategy and finding new ways to offer their products at lower prices...
Then again, it's just "guessing"... but... wouldn't it be great? :)
It makes perfect sense for Apple to do the same. Not only with a mini-iPhone, but also with 2 iPad models (which would go in hand in the rumored introduction of a new iPad 3 late Summer.)
So you recall how the iPad price was slashed in half during the official announcement?
Just imagine if Apple would pull a similar stunt during the iPad 2 announcement, but this time starting with $499 and bringing it down to nearly half?
Apple could certainly do it, they have the volume production no other tablet maker has at the moment, and we can all imagine how a "$249" iPad 2... would completely disrupt the tablet market as it stands... Forcing Android Tablet makers to really have to rethink their all strategy and finding new ways to offer their products at lower prices...
Then again, it's just "guessing"... but... wouldn't it be great? :)
Using the Nokia C5 (not the budget touchscreen, but the budget candybar) as my daily before supplanting it with the Omnia 7 very recently (I may yet revert to the C5 or equivalent + O7 combo, instead of the current O7 + iPhone / Desire HD combo), I see the value of a compact smartphone.
We've all probably got used to giant handsets, but having a small thin phone for a while as the primary handset, it is unsurprising perhaps how unwieldy the iPhone and its brethren feel to me after spending all day with the C5.
And personally, in terms of my own behaviour, I'd much rather walk about with one of the HP Veer-a-likes on a regular basis and turn to a larger 5"-class handset for 'heavy mobile data-ing'.
Since with an Apple the radio is likely to suck just as much as the full-sized machines (if not more) an iOS mini would likely be uninteresting to me, as it would serve as my primary phone - and no iPhone ever has made that grade.
I would be all over a WP7 compact though, and may even give the Veer a try.
We've all probably got used to giant handsets, but having a small thin phone for a while as the primary handset, it is unsurprising perhaps how unwieldy the iPhone and its brethren feel to me after spending all day with the C5.
And personally, in terms of my own behaviour, I'd much rather walk about with one of the HP Veer-a-likes on a regular basis and turn to a larger 5"-class handset for 'heavy mobile data-ing'.
Since with an Apple the radio is likely to suck just as much as the full-sized machines (if not more) an iOS mini would likely be uninteresting to me, as it would serve as my primary phone - and no iPhone ever has made that grade.
I would be all over a WP7 compact though, and may even give the Veer a try.
