Katie MarsalA recent deal with a key parts supplier means Apple could have an iPhone with much improved cellular Internet access on the market before the end of the year, according to a new bulletin by market researchers Forward Concepts.
This timetable, obtained directly from the report by AppleInsider, contradicts earlier reports on Tuesday which claimed cited the same firm as saying Apple might announce both European carriers and a matching 3G iPhone as early as this week.
The Forward Concepts report noted that semiconductor firm Infineon was likely manufacturing the transceivers needed to enable the faster connection using InterDigital's 3G technology. It was the only company not already obligated to produce the technology for someone else, Strauss said, and was already manufacturing the slower, 2G EDGE hardware used in the iPhone.
Infineon is producing chipsets for "at least two" unnamed companies that rely on UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) technology for cellular Internet links, he added. The format is often used for cellphone Internet access in Europe and can include the faster HSDPA (High Speed Download Packet Access) protocol used in Europe and North America. The analyst warned, however, that there was no guarantee Apple would be ready to launch 3G access on an HSDPA network such as AT&T's so soon after the release of the 2G iPhone.
"There is no doubt that a 3G... version of the iPhone is in the offing," Strauss said. "Whether it also has higher-speed (HSDPA) capability for the next release is uncertain."
While the claim appears to be based on the connections between companies rather than direct sources, the report feeds into speculation about an enhanced iPhone model triggered by an alleged German T-Mobile ad that surfaced this past weekend. The unconfirmed leak pointed to a mid-November release of an iPhone with both HSDPA and UMTS network support for the German provider, which would offer unlimited data plans with connection speeds peaking at 3.6 megabits per second.
The purported ad also referred to the German iPhone as an "XL" model with 16GB of storage and priced it at 499 Euros, suggesting that it would be an addition to the lineup rather than a replacement for the current 8GB version, which sells for $399 US.
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38 Comments
Where there is smoke, there is a fire.
Coraborated rumors implies it exists. OK 1+1 =2
So will they offer it to the US at the same time as EU. Thats why the price cut was introduced, to make room for the 3G iPhone ($499) & HSPDA iPhone ($599) both 16Gb. Out November, sell sH*t loads December. It also indicates that the current iPhone will become the intro iPhone as the newer models claim added HW functionality. At least until there is a iPhone nano anyway. I think they want the nano for the Asian market. 1st Qtr 2008.
Just musing, what do you think?
Pete
Well, the alleged leaked German T-Mobile ad has been met with a healthy dose of skepticism elsewhere, actually. I know that Engadget Mobile was all but calling it a Photoshopped fake:
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/0...hone-doubtful/
Even so, we can hope that there'll be a 3G iPhone in time for the Euro launch. It's not super-difficult to do, some entry-level US phones even have 3G now, for chrissake. And we all know what backward barbarians us left-ponders are when it comes to cellphone technology.
Yet why do I still have the nagging feeling/fear that Apple will drag their feet and not do it 'til the Asian launch in mid-2008?? Augh.
Edit: On closer inspection, I have to be thinking the 'leaked' ad is prolly fake, as it says 'iPod 16GB', not 'iPhone 16GB':
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This is either a very credible rumour or great FUD. I tend to believe the FUD angle more than anything else. Who sands to gain more by having people delay their purchases of an Apple product. And now it the great price reduction fiasco, how many early adopters are going to scream bloody murder because they want to trade in their old iPhone for a better 3G phone? No good deed goes unpunished.
I'm betting that you'll be able to get an 8GB iPhone with Edge for the current $399 and a slightly thicker 16GB with 3G and an bigger battery for $499. This would mimick the 2 sizes of iPod and would offer users a good choice.
You just couldn't have an Asian or European version of the iPhone which was perceived to be better than the one on sale in the US. And in time for Christmas too.
Everyone needs to remember that to release the 3G iPhone in the USA Apple will need a new FCC approval, which takes months to get and when they apply for this approval it is public knowledge. I.e. we will know probably 2-3 months ahead of time that a new iPhone is coming to the USA. This was the reason Apple announced the iPhone early in the first place, I would expect them to do the same for the 2nd Gen iPhone (which is the first one I think we'll see 3G in in the USA).