What If Apple Made Just A Cell Phone

Just an Apple cell phone and not an Apple iPod phone

Most pundants say an Apple cell phone will never happen
They give dozens of (mostly good, sound) reasons
(No battery life, too big, too busy, all compromises, etc.)

If it were to happen (just pure speculation – no rumors here)
Would it be an all-in-one beast everyone wonders about?
Besides, we are content to wait until January 8th, right?

First, Apple would have to apply for an FCC license
This has not happened yet (unless it was done in secret)

Second, Apple would have to couple with a carrier, like Cingular
Has this happened? No hard news here either (Skype, anyone?)

Third, everyone assumes it would be an iPod cell phone

But why would Apple cannibalize it’s own iPod sales?

People see a magnificent iPod playing video on a big(ger) screen
Holding thousands of songs, Podcasts, movies and TV shows
AND being a full featured phone (with a built-in camera, natch)

But what if it were just a cell phone and nothing else?
Not an iPod or an Apple PDA
Not with a camera included (What – no Bluetooth?)

OK, maybe with an clock, address book and calendar

Of course, it would be world-class design
Of course, it would be elegant and desirable
(And hoepfully not too expensive)

And have extraordinary battery life
And with awesome connectivity and clarity

A separate device for your person

After all, people have pockets (and purses)
They have room for more than one item
PDA, phone, camera, iPod, wallet, Tazer (;-o)

All-in-one pocket appliances are compromises
Swiss Army cool tools usually left home
They are too big, too bulky and too heavy

And if one thing breaks, it is all broken
(or left at the gate at the airport)

Every part of it is a compromise – inferior feature sets
Better to have a real phone, a real camera, a real PDA
And a real iPod (These all are small and easy to carry)

(Mine? T-Mobile To Go / Nikon Cool Pix L3 / LifeDrive / Nano
I carry the phone and the Nano – the others stay home)

Anyone remember when Motorola made a cell phone
That was also a dumbed-down iPod too (Rokr)
Bit of a failure – 100 songs/no clickwheel – who wants it?

So, what if Apple just made a cell phone
That was only a cell phone?

For your music/videos/photos, buy an iPod
For your cell phone, buy the iPhone (if they make one)
(Apple maybe should make a digital camera too)

Anything else might be a mistake of compromise

What do you think?

.