Comments on: iPhone Nano rumors surface once again

Is Apple working on a smaller version of the iPhone? Such a product has been rumored before and with Macworld a month away, those whispers are again making the rounds.

[mike.gw]

I think a simplified iPhone might be useful. A smaller and thinner model. If it is not the same as the iPhone, maybe Apple can even get away with ignoring their exclusive contract with AT&T, and offer the Nano phone to Verizon. To make it happen:

Ditch
- WiFi
- App Store
- YouTube
- Microsoft Exchange E-Mail
- Accelerometers (switch to landscape by swirling finger in circle on screen)

Keep
- Itunes Store
- Consumer E-Mail
- Visual Voicemail
- Google Maps
- Safari
- Digital Camera
- Bluetooth

Add
- EVDO
- MMS
- 8 MB Ram Storage Cap
- Voice Dialing

Price them for $99, and offer them in a variety of color choices.

[ajbright]

I would guess that an iTouch Nano rather than an iPhone is considerably more likely. After all it makes sense that eventually all their products would head in that direction, removing the need to produce anything other than the large capacity devices in the classic line.

When flash memory becomes even more affordable, those will go too.

I just don't see any advantage in making a cheap version of the jesus phone.

As for using the iPhone on other networks, I wouldn't be too concerned. There are several almost-certainties that will eventually force Apple to sell unlocked versions of the iPhone if they don't want it to bite the dust.

First one will be an influx of similar touchscreen devices from other manufacturers, who will offer unlocked versions of their phones and therefore force Apple to do the same if they want to remain competitive.

Another strong possibility will be the release of free or low cost voip software for the iTouch, which will allow a cheap alternative to cell phones for those that can live with only making calls in WiFi accessible areas. As the expansion of WiFi coverage continues I wouldn't be surprised if this turned out to be a pretty big market.

[walwebster]

Seems plausible to me.

All the geeks have already paid top dollar for the -0 version; now that the low-hanging fruit has been harvested, it's time to reduce the price and thus grow the market. Sure, function might need to be reduced, too (after all, you don't want your best, first customers to be made to feel TOO foolish), but if it's that good, there must be many more people out there who'd buy it if it just wasn't so damned exie ...