Several rumors surrounding Apple’s next-generation iPhone handsets tend to resurface each year, and the imminent launch of an entry-level “iPhone nano” is one that we have seen regularly since Apple first launched the iPhone in 2007. China Times is among the first to bring purported news of a low-cost iPhone in the works this year, citing unnamed sources within Apple’s supply chain with its report. Apple is looking to expand expand its position in the low-end smartphone market accordin...

Rumors of an iPhone nano are almost as old as the iPhone itself: the first such mumblings began in 2008. Now, Patently Apple suggests that Apple definitely was once, or still is, considering a smaller version of the iPhone. The patent in question shows a device with multiple inputs and hardware buttons or LED lights that would allow a user to interact with the phone. Given the touchscreen technology used in today’s iOS devices, we suspect this patent from 2006 would no longer reflect what an “iPho...

As sure as The Wall Street Journal’s sources were that Apple was cooking up a miniature iPhone for release in the near future is as sure The New York Times seems to be that the iPhone nano’s future isn’t very near. The Times says Apple is indeed pondering a cheaper iPhone model, but it won’t be any smaller in size. The report does not delve deeply into how Apple might make a less expensive iPhone model, though it does suggest Apple might opt for cheaper internal parts such as a lower-...

An Apple patent uncovered on Thursday describes new technology Apple is experimenting with in an effort to increase the battery life in its device lines. The patent filing, entitled Increasing Energy Density in Rechargeable Lithium Battery Cells, describes a unique multi-pronged approach to the problem of poor battery life in consumer electronics. Apple is investigating the use of a new “multi-step constant-current constant-voltage (CC-CV) charging technique,” which would increase the volumetr...

The recent resurgence of “iPhone nano” rumors has Wall Street analysts working overtime. They already love Apple, which has basically been printing money lately, and rumors of Cupertino cooking up a smaller, cheaper iPhone could certainly send Apple’s mobile profits even further skyward. In fact, one analyst thinks a cheap version of Apple’s iOS-powered smartphone could expand its addressable market by a whopping 600%, therefore potentially giving iPhone profits a 250% boost. Bernste...

According to an unconfirmed report originating in the Korea Economic Daily newspaper, Apple will become Samsung’s largest customer in 2011. Citing anonymous industry sources, the report states that Apple is poised to spend $7.8 billion on parts from Samsung, which is one of the largest component suppliers in the world. Apple is known to have parts contracts in place with Samsung, but this staggering sum would make the Cupertino-based company Samsung’s single largest customer this year. The report ...

Ok people, you know the drill. Standard disclaimer here: patents may give us some preliminary details about a future product but companies — especially Apple — will patent anything and everything so don’t be too surprised if much of this patent never materializes. The biggest takeaway is likely the simple fact that Apple is indeed working on an iPhone nano in some capacity, as we’ve expected for quite a while now. That said, a reported patent unearthed this morning may shed some light ...

Amongst all the financial details being discussed during Apple’s first quarter 2009 earnings conference call, acting CEO Tim Cook fielded questions on iPhone pricing, the netbook market and Apple’s ability to sustain its leadership in a crowded mobile phone market. First and foremost, Cook dismissed the idea of a low cost iPhone nano by stating,“You know us, we’re not going to play in the low-end voice phone business. That’s not who we are. That’s not why we’re here. ...

Vaja, a reputable case manufacturer known for high quality leather cases, has added an entry for the iPhone nano to its site. A round of rumors that started months ago and resurfaced recently when XSKN added iPhone nano cases to its site, several case manufacturers now have entries for the new shrunken Apple handset that doesn’t yet exist. A listing from XSKN is one thing but when a company like Vaja adds the iPhone nano to its site, you have to wonder if the handset’s release isn’t closer t...

So much for I’m sorry. It looks like XSKN is making no apologies for putting up iPhone nano case entries on its site as we discovered recently. Instead, the rogue retailer is now offering cases for sale. XSKN’s site is now littered with images of its iPhone nano case in a variety of color combinations and each is available for sale. Yup, $25 – $27 plus shipping will land you one of these cute new cases for a handset that many speculate will never exist. Sure, this is hardly solid evidence th...

As much as everyone’s knee jerk reaction is to discount info like this, a brief pass over recent history tells us we probably shouldn’t be too quick to discount case manufacturers when it comes to leaking products. The iPhone 3G, second generation iPod Touch and even the current iPod nano model each had its form spied ahead of schedule as a result of leaks from case manufacturers – and now it might be the iPhone nano’s turn. This time around we’re not seeing any new imagery or mo...