Could Apple be taking a few steps backward?
According to an Apple insider, Steve Jobs is currently testing a version of the iPhone with a slide out keyboard, apparently aimed at the corporate world (But when he says the ‘Corporate World’, we all know he means the ‘BlackBerry World’).

“What he is apparently doing is canvassing the idea with operators. And he has taken this beyond just chatting: actual prototypes - not just mockups - have been sent to senior executives at some operators. I’m not allowed to even hint which operators… but I can report that the keyboard has “issues” which are not yet resolved.”

Issues being that Apple is even trying out the keyboard! I think its a stupid idea and wouldn’t expect to see it anytime soon. I don’t think a keyboard will ever be as sexy as a touch screen.

Note from Mr. Mayor:
At the same time, having a physical QWERTY keyboard is the one of the main things BlackBerry users hanker for. Touchscreen aint their ‘cup of tea’. With a fully functional QWERTY keyboard in-tow, could this new device take a bigger chunk of the corporate, Berry-loving market to the Apple side of the fence? Without a doubt this is what Apple has in their sights.

[via The iPhone Blog]

written by Councillor Ben \\ tags: iPhone, iSlider, QWERTY Keyboard, Rumors

Not sure if I believe this one or not, but BGR has posted a supposed picture of the new 3G iPhone (well, the back of the device anyway). The back has a glossy black finish, and looks to be made of a plastic of sorts. Also note on this picture the ‘8GB’ marking on the back. Strange… What do YOU think? Real or fake?

Give us your take in the Forums >

written by Mr. Mayor \\ tags: 3G iPhone, Rumors

Rumors have it that the iPhone and iPod Touch will see $100 price drops in the coming months. At the same time, the lower capacity models (8GB iPhone and 8GB iPod Touch) may be discontinued.

With the discontinuation of the lower capacity models, this would leave the 16GB iPhone at $399 and the 16GB iPod Touch at $299. The 32GB Touch would go for $399.

At the moment this is all rumor so take it as you will. The main source (9to5mac) has had a decent success rate in the rumor department. If this one is true, I certainly hope there is not the same outcry as we had from early iPhone adopters… With the $200 price drop and discontinuation of the 4GB iPhone…Prompting Steve Jobs to give early adopters a $100 store credit.

[via 9to5mac]

written by Mr. Mayor \\ tags: Apple Store, iPhone, iPod Touch, Rumors