3G Rumors: iFlips, iSlides, and iTablets – Oh My?!
Ars Technica (via Times Online) is joining the ranks of “we don’t believe it and hate all the rumors, but we just gotta report this one…” (Welcome!) with a report citing the ever mysterious “industry insiders” and the equally obtuse “Asian Analysts” as saying:
[T]he next-generation iPhone will come in different form-factors, including possibly a flip-phone, a sliding model with a QWERTY keyboard, or even a model with a larger screen. Can anyone say, “iTablet?”
Ars rightly points out, however, that Apple post-Second Coming of El Jobso has embraced a Zen-like minimalism in their form factors. Indeed, almost everything nowadays is a rounded square box or rectangular slab of some sort. So, while anything’s possible — like the next Jobsnote being conducted in a button-down shirt — I’m filing this one in the “how ’bout nooo!” pile for now. What do you think?
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:35 am
The form factor bit seems like it might just be Times Online’s own speculation. It doesn’t even make much sense. How does a flip allow for a larger screen? The screen bends in the middle?
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:35 am
There’s a touch of form-factor-pr0n among gadget sites, where they seem to want them in lieu of refreshes and even OS innovation. Just look at the Treo 800w getting berated for an “old form factor” (which IMHO has been aged very well), and not the clunky OS it’s being packaged with
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:51 am
The folding screen idea is pretty intriguing. I would imagine it’s not a fold at all, but the two edges touching each other. Not sure how you protect the edges when folded flat (s sliding spine cover) but having seen recent demos of Sony’s unbelievably thin OLED, I can see that with support behind the glass and the closed cover it could be awesome. However, considering battery requirements for double the screen area and 3g – a potential porker when closed.
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:59 am
Nintendo DS style? Not sure about how I’d like that…