Apple May Reveal Cloudy iPhone September 7
The latest rumor regarding the iPhone 5's cheaper sidekick is that it will heavily rely on the cloud and sport less internal storage, possibly making it free for new 2-year contracts.
Growing weary of the Apple rumor mill? Don't fret: we're almost done for the year. In this latest installment of the iPhone 5 drama, reports are pointing to a cheaper, cloud-based iPhone that will be revealed next to the iPhone 5 during an Apple press event rumored to take place on September 7 here in the U.S., and September 8 in Japan. This is also the same day the fruity company is expected to reveal its latest iPod Touch with 3G connectivity.
To be honest, there have been so many rumors concerning the September event that its making heads spin The Exorcist-style. But one thing is for certain: all reports indicate that Apple plans to launch a new low to mid-range iPhone next to its flagship iPhone 5 smartphone. The device has seemingly ranged in size since word first surfaced of a dual release, spanning from a mini-iPhone to a upgraded iPhone 4 with a cheaper chassis.
Now there are reports stemming from three separate "insider" sources that claim the cheaper iPhone 5 sidekick will actually be based on iPhone 4 hardware, iOS 5 and Apple's upcoming iCloud. The device will rely heavily on the latter iCloud feature, sporting less internal storage than previous models. Apple reportedly stalled its typical June launch date so that it could release this second, cloud-based smartphone along with the new model before the end of the summer.
As Apple'N'Apps points out, reducing the device's on-board flash memory capacity not only means a reduction in storage, but a reduction in price. If storage accounts for 15-percent of the cost to build the device, relying heavily on the iCloud service should mean a nice reduction in the overall device price for the consumer. Of course, that will depend on how much Apple plans to charge for everyday iCloud use – that's something we'll have to see come September 7.
But this rumored iCloud model, despite is probable low price, obviously won't be for everyone – those who would rather install apps locally and store media on their device will likely stick with the typical 8 GB, 16 GB and greater models. Still, if the rumored $400 base pricetag for the iCloud iPhone is true (perhaps even free after carrier subsidization), then many loyal Apple consumers may find themselves embracing a new frontier after all: apps and multimedia in the cloud. And if Apple succeeds in enabling users the ability to purchase and stream music and video (movies, TV episodes etc stored i the cloud) to the device, then there really seems to be no reason not to switch to a cloud-based smartphone.
According to the three anonymous sources, Apple is shooting to offer a cloud-based iPhone experience that's unique to the market and accessible by many because of its price. In addition to the flash storage reduction, it will also feature a smoother yet cheaper aluminum back and siding which contradicts previous reports that the new-yet-cheaper iPhone will have an all-plastic casing and screen. Still, the difference at first sight between the iPhone 5 and the iCloud iPhone will be that the latter will resemble a small iPad. Could this device be the basis to prior rumors of a small-screen iPad?
Regardless, if the September 7 date is true, then we have less than a month to endure additional rumors until Steve Jobs whips out the real thing in front of a live audience. If Apple does produce a cloud-based iPhone, will it change the face of the mobile industry? Will it be a success? And most importantly, will it finally short-circuit Android's dominance in the mobile sector?
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Here we go. First major device where they'll take storage away from you... It doesn't even matter that it's Apple, it's just the global cloud trend... it's a highway to hell. Mark my words.
Anyone else feel like they have zero use for iCloud. I enjoy lots of iPhone features. Apps are great, the iPod part of it works well, internet, maps, etc. It syncs well with the iMac, ok i get it everything works with everything. Gadget nirvana.
But cloud storage/syncing? I have to wait to get things from some server instead of instantly having them on my phone? Why? Just give me a 64GB phone and problem solved. I don't want to upload all of my photos and MP3s, that's a waste of time. Everyone I talk has similar feelings. I wonder how Apple will get users to adopt this? I'm trying hard, but I really see no use.
I don't think it is a good idea to move to the cloud.
Apple, verizon and all the providers are going to *LOVE* this for a while. They are going to have millions of people blowing through their 2GB data plan in 2 weeks if you have to stream everything you want via "the cloud".
Personally this fad (yes it's a fad) of "the cloud" is stupid. Why should I pay more to let someone ELSE hold onto my data? i'm a big boy, I can take care of my own stuff thank you.
Can't wait to see everyone up in arms when they get their first cell phone bill and see an extra 50 bucks tacked on for all the data they are eating up thanks to the cloud.
A 32GB microSDHC cost around £32, if this is 15% of the phones cost does this mean a 32GB Iphone should cost around £213. I did pick up a 32GB flash drive just last week for £17.79 which would make that £118.60. You can bet Apple are getting thiers for alot less. All of which makes me think that the idea that the storage costs 15% of the cost to build the device is just a very bad guesstimate.
Just bought a 3Tb usb 3.0 monster drive for backup of my backup, cloud doesnt impress me much at least not right now. I want Iphone 5 details not some watered down version of it...
Cloud is nice for a secondary backup, but it is horrible idea for iPhones. AT&T and Verizon have dollar signs in their eyes right now, because unlimited data plans don't exist anymore and they stand to make millions off of the fools that buy a iPhone Cloud and go over their 2GB data plans.
This has to be the worst idea I've heard in a while, but there will be people out there that don't understand that getting an iPhone for FREE with a 2 Year Agreement will cost them more every month. Hopefully this will die a miserable death like the Kindle!!!
I hope he keeps it in his pants.
iPhone 5 on Oct 7, iPad 3 Mid-2012 [Update] http://bit.ly/r0w0n1
why not just drop internal storage to 8GB or even less then put a micrfo SD slot like the rest of the industry. PROBLEM SOLVED.
Cloud could be a good idea...ehhhh...but not for me...I ain't distributing my personal files to anyone!!!
Who wants to bet that opting out of auto syncing everything (including sensitive documents) will be very difficult and riddled with errors.
This is likely a conspiracy between apple and their 2 phone lovers at&t and verizon. If apple skims on the storage, these service providers get to ether charge more when users go over their limits or re-release unlimited internet... which with these companies of course means 6GB istead of 5 this time around!
Remember when cloud computing was called a mainframe and you used a terminal. Feels like we are going backwards. AND yea Im goona trust the naked pictures of my wife on an apple cloud..
People who aren't impressed with iCloud have no idea how it really works. If you think it's just another version of DropBox, Google Docs or a big hard drive in the sky then you are clueless to what Apple really has in mind for iCloud.
People who aren't impressed with iCloud have no idea how it really works. If you think it's just another version of DropBox, Google Docs or a big hard drive in the sky then you are clueless to what Apple really has in mind for iCloud.
It will be fantastic... for ISPs. Most people don't have unlimited data plans on their cell phones, I also thought that cell phone providers removed all unlimited data plans from their services which will mean an added cost of using the phone.
iCloud isn't just for phones. And iOS 5 has options to set up if you want to wait until you are near WiFi before it syncs up or if you want to use 3G. So it's not like you're forced to use your cell phone data up. iCloud services also only transfer changes to your documents, files or devices, reducing the amount of data needed.
ummm... if all my data's on the cloud, what happens when my Captivate drops connection several times during my express train ride? I lose the priviledge of listening to my own music or watching my own videos because its on the cloud? no thanks.
Have fun paying rape-overages...There is a reason why everyone left the terminal-server ("cloud") systems from the 80's.
Imagine trusting the Apple parasite with you valuable and personal data. Why not establish you own cloud drive available through the internet using a NAS. You will pay zero monthly fees and have all your files accessible from whereever you are. Yes apple thrives on the ignorance of the masses. A nice NAS drive http://fwd4.me/097I
I like the idea of a cloud back up but would rather have access to music on the local device, and have offline copies of all content of my choosing.
Access your home PC from your Android device by using the 2X client App from
http://www.2x.com
also has client for iOS. Voted 20th overall best Android App!