Tuesday, April 29, 2008 -- 11:53 a.m. -- on my couch

There's a lot of talk about what the 3G iPhone will be like -- physically.

Depending on what you read and what you believe, it's either going to be bigger and just a little more thick or thinner and smaller with less metal and less screen.

Hmmmm. That's useful. And disturbing. And frustrating. And annoying.

LOL. I always say that we'll never know until it's released and the above is proof of that. But ... if the smaller/lighter is true, that concerns me.

Sure, it would cost Apple less to create a phone that's more plastic and a little less screen, but it would cheapen the overall Apple experience. But I am not really worried yet because I've never seen Apple release a new or updated product and see it look horrible.

What comes to mind first is the iPod nano. Do you remember the first nano? It was thin with a small little screen. Then, when the updates were due, rumors flew that it was short and fat. One blog said it went from Kramer to George.

And it did. Those rumors were true ... but the nano is so much cooler now than it was then. Finally, George is cool.

But I don't think the iPhone is going to go from cool to uncool. However, the change in material concerns me for scratching purposes and any talk of the 3.5 inch screen going to anything else -- 2.8 or 3 or whatever -- is a great concern. The screen is what makes the iPhone what it is. If 2.8 is more in line with other phones of its caliber, then that's bad because the iPhone is nothing like phones of its caliber and Apple needs to continue to differentiate it.

But Apple also has the best design department in the world -- potentially the universe. And with that being the case, I am really looking forward to see what Apple does with iPhone 3G.

What do you think? C'mon. Let's discuss.

Thanks for calling.

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I was just thinking about this earlier today, laughing to myself about the ridiculous state of the iPhone rumour mill. Based upon everything I've read so far, I've been able to figure out what the next version of the iPhone will be like compared to the current version:
1. It's going to be larger, smaller or the same size.
2. It's going to have more memory or the same amount
3. There will be several versions available or not
4. It will have true GPS capability builtin or it won't
5. It will be made from the same materials or others
6. It will be available in June or later, doubtfully sooner
7. It will run Java and/or some version of Flash or neither
8. It will look the same, be very similar in appearance or drastically different
9. It will be 3G
10. The OS won't be based on Windows
I'm not the first to make (most of) these predictions, as I believe you were. I don't mind being the second to do so. So, did I miss anything?

SCOTT'S REPLY: Now that's a great way to wrap up the rumors. Or not. Could be.

I totally agree with you Scott, any change is iPhone's looks will make it uncool and i hope Apple will nto do anything like that, i'm waiting so patiently for 3g iPhone not for a stripped down nano version of the original one.

SCOTT'S REPLY: But someone did post here about something very interesting -- that GPS might require a plastic case because of interference. I would like to do a little more research into that because it makes sense. For reasons like that, I am more understanding than just to save a buck of course. I think, Ash, that whatever Apple releases, it's going to look wonderful and be just as droolworthy as the first one.

Scott, my experience of Apple products to date is that the 3G iPhone promises to be as sexy and tactilely appealing as any electronic gadget that's ever been on the market. It has to be. This is THE ONE that must succeed here in the US as well as other significant markets, like Europe and Asia. It has to prove that the European lukewarm response to 2.5 was an abberation. And my other prediction is that the results of the SDK and OS software updates will change the experience of the phones (2.5 & 3) to a degree that whatever the screen changes -- bigger, smaller, tastier ( long story, but my neice was once so taken by my iPhone that she had to taste it) -- will be mostly lost on the user. Just my opinion, of course. And, I actually find the current iPhones a bit too thin to feel secure in my hands. Another reason I love my Incase Slider case. BTW -- Congratulations to your Canadian readers! That's fantastic news!

SCOTT'S REPLY: I agree with you totally, Michael.

Apple is not going toward more plastic, it is
oving away from it. Metal and glass, for sure.
Fortunately for Apple and us, Steve Jobs decides,
not a group of suits like all the others.

SCOTT'S REPLY: I agree. The metal and glass is what makes it stand out every time

Scott - I've been saying for awhile that I am going to take the plunge with this phone, whatever it is. 3G, SDK.. .it's too much to resist. Count me in the minority who would welcome a slightly smaller form factor. I'm one of those guys who does not wear my phone on my belt in a harness, I slip it into my pocket. I don't want something big and bulky down there (no wise cracks!). So a smaller iPhone would actually serve me well. The rumors are really starting to fly now, so it will be interesting as to who's right and who's wrong. I think it's a virtual foregone conclusion that 3G will be intro'd in June. Which is good, because I don't want to wait any longer than that! Take it easy. . . .Jim C

ps. . . .nice shot of George!

SCOTT'S REPLY: I can appreciate that point of view for sure, Jim. I just love that screen. No matter what, it's the one part of my iPhone that always makes me smile. And yeah, I love to be able to combine Seinfeld and the iPhone!! Now I just need Seinfeld episodes on my iPhone.

A non-metal case is a real possibility, if a real GPS function is included.

SCOTT'S REPLY: Are you saying because metal and GPS don't work well together? I didn't think of that.

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