Mav
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Post by Mav on Jul 17, 2013 23:36:31 GMT -8
Heck, just for fun. Since CheapPhone will clearly not be the name of the alleged polycarbonate, new-form-factor/older-tech hybrid unicorn iPhone with a rumored price below $400-450 (the price iPhone 4 is commanding in the US).
Since it's extremely unlikely that phone will be thinner or somehow "smaller" than iPhone 5, "iPhone Lite" is both instantly out of consideration and also a stupid name that we can get off the table right away.
And since just thinking up a name isn't too substantial over the long term, I figured we can just talk cheaper iPhone in general with this topic.
But let's go back to names. My WAG? You'll love groan loudly at this one: iPhone go.
Why "go"? Polycarbonate/whatever design elements to better protect iPhone from impact. It's the most "everyday lifestyle" iPhone since iPhone 3G. Equal parts necessity and fashion statement - an "on the go" device. And last but not least, pay-as-you-go.
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Post by rickag on Jul 18, 2013 10:26:53 GMT -8
Might not use the iPhone moniker and come up with something completely new?
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Mav
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Post by Mav on Jul 18, 2013 10:54:51 GMT -8
Possible. Unlikely IMHO, but it would be interesting if Apple takes things in a different direction.
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Post by nagrani on Jul 18, 2013 11:28:58 GMT -8
I think apple is going to just call it iPhone. No more numbers. Maybe high end will be called iPhone Pro
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2013 12:49:05 GMT -8
Heck, just for fun. Since CheapPhone will clearly not be the name of the alleged polycarbonate, new-form-factor/older-tech hybrid unicorn iPhone with a rumored price below $400-450 (the price iPhone 4 is commanding in the US). Since it's extremely unlikely that phone will be thinner or somehow "smaller" than iPhone 5, "iPhone Lite" is both instantly out of consideration and also a stupid name that we can get off the table right away. And since just thinking up a name isn't too substantial over the long term, I figured we can just talk cheaper iPhone in general with this topic. But let's go back to names. My WAG? You'll love groan loudly at this one: iPhone go. Why "go"? Polycarbonate/whatever design elements to better protect iPhone from impact. It's the most "everyday lifestyle" iPhone since iPhone 3G. Equal parts necessity and fashion statement - an "on the go" device. And last but not least, pay-as-you-go. I've had exactly the same thoughts. The name will be very much tied into how the product is positioned, and I'm of the opinion that it will be focused around a youthful/freedom/active type of campaign - enhanced by the colour selection options, the durability you mention, and the focus on the easy ability to buy on cheaper monthly plans/off contract (more of a bonus in international market). iPhone Go is as good a name as any other I have heard yet. If this was Microsoft it would be "The iPod touch with retina display iPhone series 1 2013 edition RT"
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2013 12:56:15 GMT -8
I think apple is going to just call it iPhone. No more numbers. Maybe high end will be called iPhone Pro That's an option as well, and I guess that has been used in situations where product form factor size differences are minimal - for instance the MacBook vs MacBook Pro, iMac vs Mac Pro.
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Post by nathanstevens on Jul 18, 2013 23:04:11 GMT -8
/S What if they called it... iPod touch? It would be basically like an iPhone but cheaper and you would be limited to FaceTime for calling, but you wouldn't have a monthly contract. Other than that, you could do basically everything an iPhone does if you have wifi access or a Verizon mobile hotspot. Notice I didn't say AT&T or tmobile hotspot. Those just mean that you need to look for free wifi unless the stars have aligned or you find someone with a Verizon hotspot.
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Post by rickag on Jul 19, 2013 8:05:28 GMT -8
Repurpose old OS names. Cheetah, Puma, Jaguar, Panther, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Lion, Mountain Lion.
I know, I know stupid idea.
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Mav
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Post by Mav on Jul 19, 2013 11:06:44 GMT -8
Yeah, I might have said something about stupid names above? ;D
Keep it somewhat serious, please.
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Mav
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Post by Mav on Jul 19, 2013 11:12:55 GMT -8
/S What if they called it... iPod touch? It would be basically like an iPhone but cheaper and you would be limited to FaceTime for calling, but you wouldn't have a monthly contract. Other than that, you could do basically everything an iPhone does if you have wifi access or a Verizon mobile hotspot. Notice I didn't say AT&T or tmobile hotspot. Those just mean that you need to look for free wifi unless the stars have aligned or you find someone with a Verizon hotspot. I think the time for that has come and gone (I used to wonder about iPod touch becoming the iPhone PAYG myself), if only because of Apple's recent move to "standardize" the iPod touch line as well as the rumor chatter. That first point is important because it strongly implies (well, IMHO, and yes Apple is never terribly specific about future product direction) that Apple will only ship 1136x640 Retina Displays (+ Lightning connector) for that class of device. And since Apple is highly unlikely to be inconsistent about sweeping away the Dock Connector and/or 960x640 Retina Display as of yesterday, that means the 4S is gone by next iPhone introduction. BUT Apple surely knows it can't leave "free" or "cheaper" or "lower cost" smartphones to the competition. I mean heck, they specifically cited stronger-than-expected iPhone 4 sales. So while it's possible for Apple to keep a three-iPhone lineup as it's done since the 4S was new (IIRC), even if iPhone 5 sticks around as the "$99 iPhone" (which I'd be fine with), there's no way Apple would ignore the demographic that bought up iPhone 4 in surprising numbers. So there would remain a third iPhone, or IMHO, a second iPhone to fill that gap. That would be iPhone go or whatever it'll be called.
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Post by rickag on Jul 19, 2013 12:08:27 GMT -8
Yeah, I might have said something about stupid names above? ;D Keep it somewhat serious, please. Unfortunately, I was being serious, just stupid. My thinking was to differentiate the less expensive iPhone, why not break convention, and differentiate in naming convention, also? One way in hardware is make the less expensive iPhone sans LTE, thus limiting its desirability in the US market. Still makes it a contender in those markets without extensive LTE coverage (China Mobile) and also gives it its own identity in Asia.
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Mav
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Post by Mav on Jul 19, 2013 12:18:22 GMT -8
This is problematic.
On the one hand, no LTE may have some cost benefits, marginal battery life benefits, and helps differentiate.
On the other hand, The People(tm) expect LTE. iPad mini has it, and any new form factor iPhone looks to traverse a similar technology path.
There's always that risk of people thinking your older offerings are good enough for them. But Apple was fine with that as long as it retained its "present-day/year-ago/2-year-ago" iPhone lineup. IF Apple throws in a new form factor, and _without_ changing up the "truly" new iPhone somehow, AND both iPhones have the same screen and LTE (even if the newest iPhone still has better LTE), things could get a little complicated.
Can't wait to see how Apple decided to address this come September.
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Post by pauls on Jul 19, 2013 13:34:41 GMT -8
I'd like to see a new model low(er) end iphone to replace the 4 and 4s, pricing to be determined but competitive to better Android models in unsubsidized markets. A retention of the iPhone 5, perhaps at a slight discount. And a new top-end model, perhaps sold at a new premium (mercedes class, or 'pro'). It may be possible to retain ASP over the new lineup while increasing units sold, market share, and ecosystem. I do not think Apple should ignore the middle to lower end of the smart phone market. If it cost a bit of GM, so be it. Apple has done a masterful job creating the and then competing in the US market. It's time for them to break out elsewhere (everywhere). The buyer of an iPhone lite today may well step it up to a more premium Apple product in a year or two.
The new lower cost iPhone would surely best the 4s, and that, pretty colors, and an attractive price, will make it move well. I could see different internals for different regions, perhaps LTE free where that makes sense (at least for the near future). Siri for every model.
Names....that's hard!
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