Apple’s boring hardware updates • Hacker News Board

Re: Apple’s boring hardware updates

#21

Post by twodayslate » Thu, Mar 31, 2011, 3:15 AM UTC

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 never have a problem with my antenna. If it does drop... it is unnoticeable.

Re: Apple’s boring hardware updates

#22

Post by zdw » Thu, Mar 31, 2011, 3:28 AM UTC

twodayslate wrote: post #20

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.

Integrated CC system sounds much too niche, especially with Square and similar solutions.

Re: Apple’s boring hardware updates

#23

Post by 6ren » Thu, Mar 31, 2011, 3:31 AM UTC

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 think it will be dual A5, like the iPad: they have to keep up with (and actually, they surpass) the competition - HTC and LG have already announced dual core.

Perhaps they'll also try to bump up the resolution to 720p, and add HDMI out. A reason not to is so they don't cannibalize iPad sales - but that's short-sighted, and historically not Apple's style.

We may also see the rumored cut-down, retail-for-$200 iPhone - my addition is that it will have a similar form-factor as the current nano.

Re: Apple’s boring hardware updates

#24

Post by matthew-wegner » Thu, Mar 31, 2011, 3:37 AM UTC

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.

AT&T has been fairly generous with upgrade amnesty, allowing iPhone upgrades while under contract (which resets your two-year timer, of course).

IIRC, they allowed anyone to upgrade to a 3GS and cut off ~6 months for an iPhone 4, in addition to special iPhone 4 pricing for those under longer remaining contracts.

But yes, I imagine Apple has lost some leverage here now that AT&T is no longer exclusive.

Re: Apple’s boring hardware updates

#25

Post by jsz0 » Thu, Mar 31, 2011, 3:53 AM UTC

I'm not sure we're at that point yet but it will happen eventually. Once the iPhone gets a multi-core processor, much faster GPU, and 4G what else is really left for a yearly update? I doubt we'll see an octo-core iPhone 6 with 4 cameras, 2K display and 5G radios in 2013. The possible delay for the iPhone 5 seems more about re-aligning the product release schedule. It doesn't really matter when the iPhone is released. Most people only buy a new phone with they are eligible for a subsidized upgrade. The iPad, and iPod Touch, are the items that need a big back-to-school/x-mas production push. It must be difficult (or at least expensive) for Apple to release the iPhone mid-year and 2 months later gear up for the iPad/iPod rush. I think we'll probably see the iPad 2 get an extended shelf life too. The rumors of an iPad release in September were probably correct they just got the year wrong -- it'll be 2012. The last piece of this is they may move to more frequent, but minor, OS updates. This has already started to happen with 4.x where each release brought some significant features. Perhaps all the bundled apps will be updated through the App Store instead of OS updates as part of this.

Re: Apple’s boring hardware updates

#26

Post by dman » Thu, Mar 31, 2011, 3:58 AM UTC

meemo wrote: post #19

barefoot wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

You can only see one side at a time.

Unless you could unfold the phone.

Re: Apple’s boring hardware updates

#27

Post by ROFISH » Thu, Mar 31, 2011, 3:58 AM UTC

matthew-wegner wrote: post #24

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.

AT&T has been fairly generous with upgrade amnesty, allowing iPhone upgrades while under contract (which resets your two-year timer, of course). IIRC, they allowed anyone to upgrade to a 3GS and cut off ~6 months for an iPhone 4, in addition to special iPhone 4 pricing for those under longer remaining contracts. But yes, I imagine Apple has lost some leverage here now that AT&T is no longer exclusive.

I wouldn't be surprised if AT&T still did it to band-aid hemorrhaging to Verizon.

Re: Apple’s boring hardware updates

#28

Post by jrockway » Thu, Mar 31, 2011, 4:52 AM UTC

... LTE chipset (which currently has coverage almost nowhere)

Whoa! Marco is beginning to sound more annoying than Gruber.

The Apple fanbois make statements like this all the time -- Apple doesn't support something, so therefore it's irrelevant? LTE is available in NYC, LA, and Chicago (and 20 other cities), which are the three biggest markets in the US. That's not "nowhere", that's "a good chunk of the population".

Let me know when you can buy a Thunderbolt peripheral :)

Re: Apple’s boring hardware updates

#29

Post by runinit » Thu, Mar 31, 2011, 5:17 AM UTC

zdw wrote: post #22

twodayslate wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Integrated CC system sounds much too niche, especially with Square and similar solutions.

In the future, all your cards will be on your "mobile" device.

Re: Apple’s boring hardware updates

#30

Post by aeontech » Thu, Mar 31, 2011, 5:32 AM UTC

dman wrote: post #26

meemo wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can only see one side at a time.

Unless you could unfold the phone.

But then it would have again a front and back... Unless... You don't mean they would add another two display on the inside back fold!? My god, quadruple displays!