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Apple’s boring hardware updates

marco.org

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Re: Apple’s boring hardware updates

#11

Post by querulous »

liamk wrote: post #6
jonknee wrote: post #2

Moving to a longer cycle also has the benefit of being friendly to people who purchase the iPhone with a service contract. It's tough to be in a two-year deal for a one-year device.

It's even worse if you're in a 3-year contract (common in Canada). With that said, it's not to difficult to delay gratification and hold upgrades off for a few years.

do any of the canadian carriers not allow upgrades at the two year mark (with a three year contract extension, of course)? i know rogers and telus both do (did).

Re: Apple’s boring hardware updates

#13

Post by jad »

It's important to keep in mind that for Apple, hardware and software are not independent products. The software, as great as it often is on its own, exists to sell the hardware. Most of the iPhone's most compelling features, judging from what Apple chooses to promote, come in the form of software that takes advantage of new hardware. Think FaceTime with the iPhone 4, or video recording with the iPhone 3GS. These aren't the kind of big splash features that can typically come with just a software update.

Also consider the significant fact that new iPhones come with huge public exposure. Usually glowing stories on The Today Show and Good Morning America, articles in The New York Times, etc. This is publicity you can't buy. Free iOS updates, even if they have major version numbers attached to them, just don't have the same sex appeal with the public.

New hardware just seems to focus the customer's mind in a way that I'm not sure software can.

Re: Apple’s boring hardware updates

#14

Post by kenjackson »

mcav wrote: post #7

The iPhone doesn't need to get any smaller, and the display won't need any more increases in resolution. That's practically it's only noticeable physical feature. Anything they add to it at this point will be hard to notice unless it adds substantial new functionality. They can always improve on speed, camera resolution, and storage; they could add LTE and NFC, but I can't think of much else that would even need hard…

A 4" display would be a pretty big deal. As would 3D support.

Re: Apple’s boring hardware updates

#15

Post by wdewind »

zdw wrote: post #4

My wager for this summer/fall is an "iPhone 4S" with the A5 processor, with almost no other hardware changes. Plus a launch of iOS 5, with a revamped notification system, more developer API's, and possibly some UI reworks (iOS is looking pretty long in the tooth compared to things like Windows Phone 7)

Mine too, but the current VZW iPhone doesn't support 4g/LTE, so my bet would be for that.

Re: Apple’s boring hardware updates

#16

Post by barefoot »

ugh wrote: post #10
joshzayin wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would tend to doubt that the changes will be that small, considering the massive negative media attention 'antennagate' got--I think it's likely that they'll at least move the antenna to eliminate that problem, which would seem to necessitate some appearance redesigns as well. They might not, but it would somewhat surprise me.

You mean that antenna stuff nobody cares about anymore?

I know a few people who have the money to buy an iPhone 4 that will not simply because of the "consumer reports" iPhone antenna review. It's nonsensical for sure but I wouldn't be surprised if it would help apple to put the issue to bed for good.

Re: Apple’s boring hardware updates

#17

Post by barefoot »

kenjackson wrote: post #14
mcav wrote: post #7

The iPhone doesn't need to get any smaller, and the display won't need any more increases in resolution. That's practically it's only noticeable physical feature. Anything they add to it at this point will be hard to notice unless it adds substantial new functionality. They can always improve on speed, camera resolution, and storage; they could add LTE and NFC, but I can't think of much else that would even need hard…

A 4" display would be a pretty big deal. As would 3D support.

How about a display on the back? That way there would be (nearly) no wrong way to hold your phone.

Re: Apple’s boring hardware updates

#18

Post by jonknee »

ugh wrote: post #9
jonknee wrote: post #2

Moving to a longer cycle also has the benefit of being friendly to people who purchase the iPhone with a service contract. It's tough to be in a two-year deal for a one-year device.

So the iPhone self-destructs now after twelve months? Devilish what Apple is coming up with these days. Normal people don't buy a new iPhone every year. And even nerds should know that the market is moving at such a speed that it will be nearly impossible for them to own the latest and greatest at any point in time. All iPhones were at least 24 month devices.

I think the point was more of a focus on software. Where we are today I think the iPhone 4 stands up in hardware, but is lagging in software (notification UI, reliance on iTunes, etc). An extra four months for some more RAM and maybe faster data access isn't going to bother most people.

Re: Apple’s boring hardware updates

#20

Post by twodayslate »

zdw wrote: post #4

My wager for this summer/fall is an "iPhone 4S" with the A5 processor, with almost no other hardware changes. Plus a launch of iOS 5, with a revamped notification system, more developer API's, and possibly some UI reworks (iOS is looking pretty long in the tooth compared to things like Windows Phone 7)

I was hoping for dual cores and iOS5 (notification feature mainly).

My brother is saying they will be integrating a credit card system. That could be possible.

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