Multiple rumors about a smaller, cheaper iPhone that was supposed to debut this summer are half-wrong, said the New York Times on Thursday. Apple is indeed looking toward a cheaper iPhone, but not a smaller one.
Among the reasons that Apple would not consider a smaller iPhone, at least for now, is that a phone with a smaller screen would mean many developers would have to rewrite their apps, which Apple wants to avoid. Apple always uses Android's fragmentation as a negative point when speaking of Google's smartphone platform, and that includes both hardware and software. However, others posit that it is the choice of many form factors that have made Android successful.
Other reasons for eschewing a smaller device include the fact that a smaller device would not necessarily be cheaper (enough) to manufacture. It would also, being predominantly touch-screen, be more difficult to operate.
That said, although the report stated smaller was out, Apple is definitely looking at cheaper, the Times added.
For example, in 2010 Apple launched the iPhone 4, then cut the price of the iPhone 3GS to $99 while reducing its storage capacity from 16GB to 8GB.
While dispelling the rumors of a smaller iPhone, the NYT did seem to confirm earlier rumors which indicated that changes to MobileMe were coming. MobileMe has never been popular, and the report stated that Apple is going make MobileMe free, and allow more OTA syncing of files, as well.
Among the reasons that Apple would not consider a smaller iPhone, at least for now, is that a phone with a smaller screen would mean many developers would have to rewrite their apps, which Apple wants to avoid. Apple always uses Android's fragmentation as a negative point when speaking of Google's smartphone platform, and that includes both hardware and software. However, others posit that it is the choice of many form factors that have made Android successful.
Other reasons for eschewing a smaller device include the fact that a smaller device would not necessarily be cheaper (enough) to manufacture. It would also, being predominantly touch-screen, be more difficult to operate.
That said, although the report stated smaller was out, Apple is definitely looking at cheaper, the Times added.
“Although the innards of the phone, including memory size or camera quality, could change to offer a less expensive model, the size of the device would not vary,” said the person, who has worked on multiple versions of the device.Apple will also not offer multiple form factors. Instead the company will continue its practice of slashing the price of the prior year's model, while at the same time cutting its storage capacity to half the prior year's minimum.
For example, in 2010 Apple launched the iPhone 4, then cut the price of the iPhone 3GS to $99 while reducing its storage capacity from 16GB to 8GB.
While dispelling the rumors of a smaller iPhone, the NYT did seem to confirm earlier rumors which indicated that changes to MobileMe were coming. MobileMe has never been popular, and the report stated that Apple is going make MobileMe free, and allow more OTA syncing of files, as well.
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