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3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone

By | January 30, 2012, 4:54am PST

Summary: Wading through all the rumors, there are only three things we can say for certain about the next iPhone coming from Apple.

The year is young but it is already rife with rumors about the next phone coming our way from Cupertino. You don’t have to look far on the web to find speculation about the shape, size, and all sort of “information” about the next iPhone. You can also find that it will definitely be called the iPhone 5; of course you can find it won’t, too.

Folks, those are merely rumors, and putting stock in those is an exercise in futility. In spite of its touchy-feely reputation one thing Apple doesn’t do well is share. That is particularly true when it comes to information about upcoming products.

Spout the latest rumor if you must, but don’t be surprised when you are left with egg on your face. There are only three certainties about the next iPhone.

  1. A prototype will be left in a bar. This is the only iPhone rumor with historical precedence.
  2. Samsung will run TV ads making fun of iPhone enthusiasts camping out in line for the next iPhone. Complete with baristas.
  3. There will be lines, really long lines of buyers waiting to buy the next big iPhone.

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Topics

Apple iPhone, Phone, Cupertino, Channel Management, Telecom & Utilities, Marketing, James Kendrick

James Kendrick has been using mobile devices since they weighed 30 pounds, and has been sharing his insights on mobile technology for almost that long.

Disclosure

James Kendrick

James Kendrick has no affiliations or relationships that need to be disclosed.

Biography

James Kendrick

James Kendrick has been using mobile devices since they weighed 30 pounds, and has been sharing his insights on mobile technology for almost that long. Prior to joining ZDNet, James was the Founding Editor of jkOnTheRun, a CNET Top 100 Tech Blog that was acquired by GigaOM in 2008 and is now part of that prestigious tech network. James' writing has appeared in many print publications: Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine, Information Week and Laptop Magazine to name a few. James' coverage of the mobile technology sector has regularly appeared in the New York Times, Salon.com and CNN/ Fortune online. Not just a writer, James has filmed numerous video reviews and how-tos that have garnered well over a million viewers. He has appeared on local news segments and been interviewed by the Associated Press on mobile technology topics. Additionally, James has been podcasting about mobile technology for years.

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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
non-biased 6th Feb
@Stephen-B You are quickly taking over the lead as the ZDNet ultimate frothing at the mouth MS Fanboy.
View in thread
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
darrenwbaker 30th Jan
I'm sorry I read this. I thought you actually had real details.
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Amen
GeoffMichael 1st Feb
@darrenwbaker Amen again!
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
dksmidtx 30th Jan
Why do I feel a "made you look" moment here?
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There is a fourth thing we know for sure about the next iPhone
Pete "athynz" Athens 30th Jan
Tech bloggers will speculate endlessly about it and the fanbois on all sides will put in their 2 cents about how magical/sucky/etc it will be. I'm getting some popcorn.
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Some peopoe will loath it. Some people will love it.
James Quinn 30th Jan
And there will be those who just don't care but take the time to respond to every article written about the new iPhone:P

Pagan jim
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4th
davebarnes 30th Jan
Columnists will continue to write link bait articles
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
Bates_ 30th Jan
I just got JK-Rolled! Damn you James! You win this round...
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
Swanmann 30th Jan
Will never click on another item from him again.
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
Muttley49 Updated - 30th Jan
Thanks for giving me a laugh on a dismal Monday morning!!!
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
grant@... 30th Jan
The lost in a bar thing made me laugh. The other two were sad but true.
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
kenosha77a 30th Jan
4. It will be the last iPhone design Steve Jobs contributed his input to.
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
toddybottom_z 30th Jan
That's a good thing.
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Well that's ONE "ahem" mans opinion.
James Quinn 30th Jan
@toddybottom_z ... Certainly not everyone's.

Pagan jim
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
ScorpioBlue 30th Jan
Looks like somebody else beat me to flagging you.

lol... grin
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
rahbm 31st Jan
@toddybottom_z

Jeez, buddy, give it a REST! You must have major blisters by now....
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
Muttley49 30th Jan
Thanks for giving me a laugh on a dismal Monday morning!!!
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
edulike 30th Jan
1) It will annoy every single IT admin on the planet.
2) It will do nothing original but will look good and be well marketed
3) CEOs and MDs will need one, probably on the day it comes out, and will use them to show off to their mates, and for nothing else.
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Not every IT Admin for I know at least a few who are Apple fans:)
James Quinn 30th Jan
@edulike ... They will look good but in and of itself there is nothing wrong with that. Also they will work well which is the point. As for your last "ahem" point. Well maybe from your perspective but I'm starting to think over all your issues maybe personal in general.

Pagan jim
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
Stephen-B 30th Jan
@edulike but anyone that want to actually use it, will buy a Nokia Lumia phone. Because it contains the best hardware/software combination.
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
rahbm 31st Jan
@Stephen-B

Written like a true troll.
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
non-biased 6th Feb
@Stephen-B You are quickly taking over the lead as the ZDNet ultimate frothing at the mouth MS Fanboy.
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
edulike 30th Jan
Plus the secret extra one : Anyone who buys one will come across as incredibly smug for no good reason.
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You should avoid generalizations for they often fail.
James Quinn 30th Jan
@edulike ... For instance I tend to doubt you actually "know" all that many Apple consumers and if you knew say 100 of the millions of users that would be what percent? I'm not smug nor do I care about cool, popular, or in general image. Drive a 1989 Honda Civic Hatchback. Wear jeans and t-shirts, and if I cared about popularity I'd actually own an Android device cause well they are the phone market share leader and I'd own a Windows PC which I don't. Far from smug just know what works for me:)

Pagan jim
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
rahbm 31st Jan
@James Quinn

Please don't feed the trolls!
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
Pete "athynz" Athens 30th Jan
@edulike I have an iPhone but that is not why I'm a smug, arrogant, and cocky SOB... I'm smug, arrogant, and cocky because I'm just that good - the iPhone is just an afterthought... happy
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
33Nick 30th Jan
LOL, we all need a daily dose of fun. Thanks for laugh James and for being spot on.
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
sarllc 30th Jan
ugh! thought there was more....BUT good points along with humor!
Good job! LOL
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
fldbryan@... 30th Jan
You forgot that it will cost more.
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
Pete "athynz" Athens 30th Jan
@fldbryan@... Cost more than what? Ever since Apple dropped the price points on the original iPhone the prices for the iPhones have been consistent - $199/$299/$399. Nice try though.
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
Stephen-B 30th Jan
@Pete "athynz" Athens It will cost more that 4 times the price of the far superior Nokia Lumia 900. The Lumia 900 is faster, more stable, and will have more storage than all but the mot expensive iJunk phone. Even though you'll be able to get more online storage for less than the cost of the 64 GB iJunk phone.
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What happened to you Rick_Kl?
toddybottom_z 30th Jan
@Stephen-B / Rick_Kl

You used to love everything Apple and hate everything Microsoft. Now you refer to Apple stuff as iJunk. What happened to turn you from being Apple's #1 fan to hating Apple so much?
  • Flagged
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
Stephen-B 30th Jan
toddybottom you are still mistaken. I make a living recommending Microsoft solutions, so I get paid indirectly by Microsoft. Selling and recommending Microsoft solutions is easy, when you honestly believe they are the best available.
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
ScorpioBlue 30th Jan
@toddybottom is really talking about himself.

That's the next flag I missed.

silly
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
rphunter42 30th Jan
You know, considering the number of people I have seen in restaurants (I don't do bars), who set their phone on the table when they sit down, it is no surprise that someone can just grab and dash, and get the latest iPhone test prototype. So, maybe Apple should make a hard rule that people who frequent bars should not have prototypes entrusted to them. It is also interesting that the same bar was involved. Put that one off limits, Apple.
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
tmatthew 30th Jan
What a cheap attempt to get hits? ZDNET is becoming the gutter of online journalism. Kudos to James for at least not bashing Apple like every other journo here.
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RE: 3 things we know for sure about the next iPhone
SHAMKEN@... 31st Jan
Too Funny! lol

I'll wait a couple of months after its out there then snap the Iphone up.
I love my Pioneer App.
Iphone 5 what will it bring?

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