Presented a few minutes ago, here there is the new Apple baby.
The new device runs Mac OS X–”a software breakthrough,” Steve Jobs said, referring to the use of the full-fledged operating system, “software that’s 5 years ahead of what’s on any other phone.”
A new technology called “multitouch” means users don’t need a stylus–”and it is far more accurate than any pointing device that’s shipped.”
Since Apple’s introduction of the iPod five years ago, the company has sold more than 67-million of the devices and more than 1.5-billion songs from its iTunes online music store.
The Wall Street Journal leaked a story this morning about the company announcing a calling device to be serviced by Cingular Wireless.
The news contradicted JP Morgan’s prediction’s yesterday about the company not making the Apple “iPhone” release until the end of this quarter.
UPDATE:
CNBC’s Jim Goldman reported this morning that Apple could sell an estimated 12 million mobile phone units in its first year, with possible revenue of $6 billion from the sales of these devices alone.
This is what Forrester Research principal analyst Charles S. Golvin told CNBC’s Morning Call today:
“iPhone is a big opportunity for Apple, but if you look at the overall global market for mobile phones, even if they were to reach this figure of 12 million that seems to be floating around there, that’s a very small piece of the overall market—it will be a big impact on Apple, not so big of an impact on the overall market.”
“The big challenge for Apple, what they will be focusing on, if this product does come out, is about a really good consumer experience, like they do in so many other areas.
What Apple has always done, is do an excellent job in focusing on the user experience and making things simple.
If this product does come out, it will be an excellent voice product, and an excellent music product, its not going to be something that does everything for all people,” he said.
IPhone is less than a half-inch thin – less than almost any phone on the market today.
It comes with a 2-megapixel digital camera built into the back, as well as a slot for headphones and a SIM card. Jobs did not immediately provide details on price or availability, but Mobile Tracker says that Apple will begin shipping the iPhone in June with Cingular: $499 for the 4GB version and $599 for the 8GB.
Apple state that the iPhone will be available in the US from June this year through its exclusive agreement with Cingular, in Europe during Q4 this year, and in Asia from 2008.
The Apple web site has now a section on the iPhone