More on Apple/Motorola Joint Cell Phone Venture

1+(smarterThanYou) writes "Forbes.com has an article with updates on the previous Slashdot story on the Motorola/Apple iTunes compatible mobile phone. 'Apple Computer and Motorola could soon show us the mobile phone they are developing to play music purchased from Apple's iTunes online music store. 'We've said we have something coming on this in the first half of 2005 and we're definitely on schedule for that. Hopefully you'll be able to see more about it soon,' says Eddy Cue, vice president in charge of applications at Apple.'" Theories about this device showing up at the next MacWorld Expo abound.

Comments

Already in bed?

[sweetaction]

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2002/jul/17isync.h tml Cingular and Apple are already buddies. With Moto's exclusive offering of the new RAZR phone with Cingular, perhaps are budding relationship will truly blossom with an iPhone to tie it all together.

Go Apple.

Re:Flash-based iPod actually a phone?

[PabloJones]

I believe that Steve has specifically said in the past that Apple would not be making a cell phone anytime in the near future.

But maybe he's had a change of heart. Afterall, if Apple came out with a phone, people would be drooling over it... stylish and easy to use, plus iTunes support. Who knows.

iTunes on phone does not mean iPod-Phone! RTFA

[johnpaul191]

the article says the phone is NOT AN IPOD. we knew Apple made a version of Quicktime for cellphones. this makes it sound like the phone will just use Apple software to playback some MP3/AAC songs on your phone. a dozen songs requires very little flash memory. i would guess the phone would be able to play songs bought at iTMS. the fact that the article mentions putting songs on a phone via bluetooth/cable and how that would bypass the carrier, i guess that means we will not see iTMS shopping via cell phone.

maybe the rumors are way off and this is what the flash iPod is. the Moto V710 phone has a removable memory card you can put MP3 files on and play them as ringtones, or listen to them on the speakerphone. i guess headphones or a carkit would be possible too? who knows. you have to read the article knowing some are quotes from Apple and Moto and some is filler/speculation by Forbes. not to diss them, but it's possible they don't totally know and are off the mark with their speculation.

and i quote:

At the event, Jobs took pains to point out that the phone would not compete with Apple's popular iPod music player, but should viewed as an iPod accessory. "Wouldn't it be great if you could take a dozen of your favorite songs with you" on a cell phone, Jobs said at the time.

The companies said they plan to release a phone that will connect locally to computers unning Microsoft's Windows as well as Apple's Macintosh computers using a cable or a Bluetooth wireless connection.

Re:Macintosh 1 button mouse...now the 1 button pho

[Go_Ask_Alex]

Nokia beat Apple with a rotary cell phone, it's their Nokia 7280 (http://www.nokia.com/nokia/0,,62356,00.html).

Re:Flash-based iPod actually a phone?

[nelsonal]

Free to the consumer, but not to the cellular phone company. Nokia, Motorola, and Ericsson could not build phones that are that filled with expensive components for carrier prices. The average global cell phone goes for ~$150, and that includes a ton of basic phones for pre paid plans. Check the price of a phone without a service plan (say to replace a damaged or lost phone). The average subsidy is probably $150 now. Of course there is no free lunch, you pay for the phone over the life of your contract.
An iPod cell phone would be good for carriers (exclusivity would help sign up customers), and good for Apple, half the cost is not paid directly by the consumer so you will sell considerably more.

Re:iPhone, uPhone we all phone for iphone...

[JHromadka]

It refers to Steve Lillywhite producing their 1st, 2nd, 3rd and fourteenth albums.