Rumors continue to fly that Apple Computer will introduce at least one so-called iPhone with a camera.
Jesse Tortora, a Prudential Equity Group analyst, says Apple will offer two models: A phone emphasizing music capabilities and a smartphone with greater messaging and video capabilities, according to an article in AppleInsider. Both models would include a camera.
The first model will look more like an iPod that happens to include a phone and will incorporate a clickwheel. The smartphone will feature a larger OLED screen and a sliding keyboard.
Both models will be GSM, he says. The smartphone will work with the higher speed WCDMA.
What's the user experience?
Besides my obviously interest in the type of camera (resolution, photo and video recording?, etc.), I'm also very interested in the user experience. One of the problems with camera phones is the difficulty of sending photos and videos.
Certainly many people can figure out how to do this. But studies continue to indicate that sending images is too difficult.
If Apple is able to develop software that will make the camera phone experience easier -- such as sending, editing and organizing images -- it will do a great deal to further the growth of camera phones.
Sparking video recording/downloading?
The first iPhone will emphasize, as mentioned, music capabilities, not the camera. It will be interesting to see the second phone (again -- not confirmed) with a larger screen "specifically designed for viewing downloaded movies and video clips," Tortora says.
Cellular operators need to do a much better job of marketing video recording as well as mobile television. (I discuss much of that in my mobile TV weblog.)
More about OLED screens and OLED technology at http://www.oled-display.net
Posted by: erik | Thursday, December 07, 2006 at 01:39 AM