What started as a small, seemingly unsubstantiated rumour in a British tabloid has now grown to be an almost universally accepted fact - an iPhone Nano is on the way. Unfortunately, there has been no confirmation from Apple, and the name, release date, and features are unknown.

In August 3rd, a small article appeared in the Daily Mail, a British newspaper known for its hyperbole. The newspaper claimed to have inside knowledge of an iPhone Nano being launched by Christmas 2008. In the UK, the new Apple device would cost £150 ($300) and be aimed at pay-as-you-go customers on he 02 network.

An industry source reportedly told the newspaper:

This will be a big one. The iPhone 3G has been the fastest-selling phone ever in the UK, but it is too expensive to be a realistic proposition in the pay-as-you-go market. However, a cut down version, with the candy bar shape of iPod nano music players, would be a huge hit as a Christmas gift.

The randomness of the article, and the relatively non-expert-like statement meant many people dismissed the iPhone Nano as a work of fiction from a bored hack, but the story spread around the Web, and some in the blogosphere took it seriously.

Now according to 9to5Mac, more evidence of the product has emerged, and it makes the whole thing much more believable. First, Lehman Brothers analyst Ben Reitzes explained in a research paper how he believed Apple was working on a lower-end iPhone. The only divergence between his understanding and the original rumour is the release date: he thinks Spring 2009 is more likely.

Then it emerged that prominent Apple iPod and iPhone accessories manufacturer DLO (Digital Lifestyle Outfitters) has been working on a nano-style iPhone dock since 2006. They have a patent for it, which was published in the Spring of 2008.

When taken together, these three pieces of evidence lead me to believe that an iPhone Nano is on the way, its just when it will see the light of day, and what features it will have on it that remain to be answered. Oh, and the name - I really can’t see it being iPhone Nano however catchy it may be.

Related:

iPod Nano, Touch revisions coming with iTunes 8.0

3G iPhone rumors going strong: better headphone jack, same screen, release date?

Apple’s iPod Nano, iPod Touch have a burning problem

Sign a petition to free the new iPod Touch update and apps

iPhone reviews out ahead of July 11 date

Entry was posted on Friday, August 8th, 2008 at 6:31 pm under Internet, News, Opinion, Rumor, Unconfirmed, iPhone.  Print This Post

Read more entries by Dave Parrack.
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