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RUMOR: Apple Computer teaming with Motorola to create ‘iPod phone’

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 · 10:56 am · 34 Comments

“Remember that great iPod/phone prototype from Applele (pictured at right) that we posted on 04 November? Well, a PhonePod may not be as far off as originally thought. A source writes to us about a rumored collaboration with Motorola to produce a iPod-based phone,” O’Grady’s PowerPage reports.

O’Grady’s page has a photo of the prototype (not from Apple) here.

MacDailyNews Take: Please refer to the “Related MacDailyNews articles” below and draw your own conclusions. We’d also like to note that, true or not, we’d be first on line to buy the phone accessory for our iPods and iPod mini’s. Why did Apple change the FireWire port to the Dock Connector on iPod anyway? What are the future benefits of having 100 million of those connectors in people’s hands by 2008? Hmmmmm…

Categories: iPodDailyNews, MacDailyNews

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Comment Feed

34 Comments

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theloniusMac

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 12:20 pm · Reply

The problem with Apple and cell phones remains the same. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being completely positive and 1 being absolutely horrible, most people have about a 1.5 to 2 experience with cell phones. Apple is all about being associated with a 5 user experience. In order to control this, Apple has to control the entire user experience. With cell phones, you don’t. There isn’t anything Apple can do about poor cell provider service. Most people are ignorant enough to think, “Gee, if Apple builds a cell phone, it must be great? Right?” I just don’t see Steve standing on stage making excuses for any kind of an Apple phone.
Benn

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 12:28 pm · Reply

This is not a rumour, we already know that Apple is working with Motorola to put iTunes on its cell phones – that is all they are up to.
ha!

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 12:31 pm · Reply

ok. we already know apple is working with motorola to put itunes on its phone. chances are that motorola is simply working to put a decent amount, say 1 gig, of space on their phones.

Use my ipod as a phone? get real. that phone attachment thing can sit on my shelf next to my iWalk.
Shieldzee

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 12:32 pm · Reply

Good points theloniusMac, but consider this – how many people have horror stories to report about their cable modem and DSL service? You can really only enjoy a Mac to its fullest with a broadband connection to the Internet. Apple can’t control the quality of the connection. Could they position a phone the same way? In other words talk about its other features such as iPod functionality, iCal and Address Book integration, Bluetooth, etc and oh yeah, by the way, you can make a phone call too?
twilightmoon

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 12:42 pm · Reply

MDN:
“What are the future benefits of having 100 million of those connectors in people’s hands by 2008?”

How about the ability to integrate an iPod with:
1. car stereo (everywhere, not just a few upgraded BMWs). Imagine renting a car or buying a new one and being able to plug your iPod right in, charge and control it from the steering wheel. Imagine this being common.
2. Home stereo systems coming standard with an “iPod connection” or dock.
3. Alarm Clocks, everywhere, even in hotels with built in connections.
4. Airlines or commuter trains with iPod connections for charging..
5. Possible home entertainment network thingie.

These are just a few of the possibilities. All of them push the iPod all of them exclude the contenders and wannabes. What if certain cell phones could hook up to this dock, and also be able to recharge and shift data? You could plug your cell phone into your car iPod/cell phone dock. Recharge your phone and be able to use it hands free.

The key is for Apple to push as many iPods out there as quickly as possible. More iPods means more demand for the dock in more devices. I read that the BMW kit is already on a waiting list, and that’s $250 and even then it’s not a perfect solution, just a first step.
ndelc

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 12:43 pm · Reply

Good point Sheildzee. I think most people understand the role of the service provider. If they don’t like it they can just switch to another.
Cam Corder

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 12:45 pm · Reply

A mini-hard-drive based, iPod-like digital camcorder would be better for Apple.
They could use it with the Apple computers and software (iMovie & Final Cut) to increase total sales of all products.
What Market share boosting synergy does a phone give Apple-how would it increase sales of other apple products???
Gut Twister

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 12:51 pm · Reply

Why do I get the feeling that Apple has turned the whole company around to concentrate totally on the iPod?
That Apple is betting the farm on iPod and to keep it ahead of Sony or Microsoft or whatever other competition is coming up.

I hope not.
Perhaps if IBM was delivering faster chips on a regular basis, Apple�s computers would evolve faster. But right now the only came is iPod. Even the new iMac G5 is touted as the computer designed by the iPod makers….
mac dood

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 1:05 pm · Reply

A while back, I read a rumor that “The Woz” was working on the “iPhone”……

Guess that one didnt pan out
Sum Yung Gai

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 1:09 pm · Reply

Re “What Market share boosting synergy does a phone give Apple-how would it increase sales of other apple products???”

Well, if Apple also released a iPhone app that acts as an answering machine, fax center, call screener, menu system, call forwarder, Internet phone, etc., it could be provide plenty of synergy and sell a heap of Macs.

Imagine if you could pick up your PhonePod, select somebody in another country to call from the Address Book, and then your PhonePod would make a local cell call (or 802.11-based call, if you’re at home or in the office) to your Mac or PC, and the iPhone app would make an Internet-based call to your callee’s computer, which would place another local call to the callee’s PhonePod. If they’re not home, you would leave a message with their iPhone app, which they could later retrieve from their PhonePod or from the iPhone app.

I’d buy it, anyway.
Geo

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 1:15 pm · Reply

Gut Twister,

You need to read “The Perfect Chocolate” here:

http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments_opinion/4367/
KJ

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 1:18 pm · Reply

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20041129/D86LODF00.html

my theory……..ringback tones selected from your iTunes library
GrapeGraphics

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 1:27 pm · Reply

A Motorola phone with Apple technology. Just like they said they would do it…

Technology bleed through from Apple…
Steve Jobs

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 1:27 pm · Reply

I’ve told you people already. We are NOT working on a phone!
mike

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 1:51 pm · Reply

Sadly, Nokia has already put a scrollwheel on their phone.. man it’s ugly and really weird to use…

oops..

do they get sued for using the scrollwheel on a bad product? yep.
iVeritas

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 1:58 pm · Reply

What about a WiFi/Bluetooth internet phone?
Jack A

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 2:20 pm · Reply

Add a wifi chip so you can make free phone calls over the internet via iChat!! With Video???
ericg

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 2:34 pm · Reply

The problem with the phone idea is that companies are giving newer phones away as part of their customer retention plans. Renew your contract, get a phone upgrade for free. And these phones can take photos. Apple has never been into a mass volume/low margin business. An Apple phone would be great for Mac users and other tech lovers who can afford one. But so would a Palm-type handheld. Apple chose not to get ino that, and I suspect they won’t get into cell phones either – there’s just too much competition and they can’t control the whole user experience. Phones are not the next big thing.
Al

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 3:15 pm · Reply

Can you say iPod branded video phone?

Isn’t that what the new AAC+ compression is all about?

iSight + color screen iPod + Airport Express + phone jack or cell phone + AAC+ + J. Ives = iVidPhone.

All the parts are there, all they need to do is add the design magic.
Smithy

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 3:58 pm · Reply

I really would like to see Wireless Streaming, and then car compaies/car stereo makers can just put a wi-fi receiver on their products and you can stream ur music from iPod to stereo. Kinda like an AirPort Express for your car… be cheaper for companies to make the small accessory to fit ur car, and a small charger would keep your iPod full of juice.

Just my $0.02

BTW, I’m typing this on my Mum’s 300Mhz iBook Clamshell in OS X 10.3 – it ROCKS!