Much cheaper iPhone reportedly on way

[tharmsen]

The same analyst thinks you will be able to turn ipod nano's into phones. This guy is a freakin idiot.

Apple filed a patent for such a device already, so apparently he's not the idiot you think he is.

[joe]

I just don't see this happening at all.

[ColsTiger]

It might work. One of my favorite features about the current generation is the large display though.

[iPaul]

Apple filed a patent for such a device already, so apparently he's not the idiot you think he is.

iPwned....lol.

[megaphore]

yeah cool so the nano's have phone chips in them ready to be unlocked ... I don't think so... anyone who thinks that is a freaken idiot... As I was saying to the analyst who suggested it

[Citsur86]

Apple filed a patent for such a device already, so apparently he's not the idiot you think he is.

Iv'e actually done some research on this. The patents which were taken out leading to the suspicion of a cheaper and likely smaller (scaled down) version of the iPhone mean nothing and here is why.

These patents, I believe there were 3 in total, were all taken out BEFORE the patents for the current iPhone features and phone itself where. What this means is that these patents could have been taking out for a number of reasons, one of course being a smaller, cheaper, iPhone but is it likely, no way. Whether that was an original prototype which they decided not to use or a patent to simply prevent other companies from developing a similar product, I would not expect apple to release a smaller version of iPhone, at least not anytime soon.

[mjeagent]

Should be real easy to rotary dial while driving.

[megaphore]

Apple filed a patent for such a device already, so apparently he's not the idiot you think he is.

UPDATE 1-JPMorgan analysts disagree on future iPhones
Reuters - July 11, 2007 11:33 PM ET

NEW YORK, July 11 (Reuters) - Clients of JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM) could be excused for feeling dizzy in the last few days after reading the banking group's investment research on Apple Inc (AAPL).

Kevin Chang, an analyst covering telecom equipment for JPMorgan in Taiwan, issued a report on July 8 saying Apple may introduce a phone in the fourth quarter that is inspired by the design of its ultra-slim nano music players and is half as expensive as its $600 iPhone, launched on June 29.

But a day later, Bill Shope, a U.S. analyst who covers Apple for JPMorgan, followed with a note to clients that contradicted virtually everything his colleague had said and questioned the sources Chang used for his take on Apple product plans.

Rather than bring out a low-end version of the iPhone any time soon, Shope said, Apple would likely make its next phone a more sophisticated device with high-speed cellular Internet connections, a feature missing from the current iPhone.

Asked about the conflicting reports, Brian Marchiony, a U.S. spokesman for JPMorgan, said Shope "holds JPMorgan's official view of Apple's stock."

Chang declined comment.

On Tuesday, Apple shares rose as much as 3.2 percent following the report. The stock closed 0.03 percent higher at US$132.39 on Wednesday, underperforming the U.S. Dow Jones index's .DJI 0.56 percent rise.

While Shope said the eventual introduction of a cheaper iPhone is "inevitable," he described the prospects for a near-term launch as "unusual and highly risky." He also dismissed Chang's assertion that Apple could convert its nanos to phones.

"We struggle to understand why Apple would abandon one of its most successful product lines with a carrier-centric low-end phone," Shope said.

He also questioned his colleague's sourcing, saying "the majority of Mr. Chang's assumptions on the form factor and functionality of the 'nano phone'" were derived from a patent filing that gave little information on actual products.

Shope said he was unable to independently confirm Chang's reference to unnamed "channel checks" even as he said the channel checks -- supply-chain sources -- were "very interesting and worth further monitoring."

Another investment bank, Goldman Sachs, weighed in on the debate by saying on Wednesday that it was unlikely a nano iPhone was in the works at Apple. Even if there was one, the product is more likely to be launched next year or the year after.

[phoenixjea]

I think if they didn't have a qwerty keyboard, and they just had it a-z I'd have a real hard time typing. Also, the D is a V in that picture. Hahah.

I personally wouldn't want a "nano" version, just because of the video capabilities ... YouTube passes my time quickly, and if the screen was smaller, my eyes wouldn't appreciate that. Hahah.

[hutchensgd]

I hope your lungs have near infinite air capacity, becuase if you hold your breath waiting for this, you will be in serious difficulty soon.

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/...hone_0711.html