News - iPhone tipped for refresh in early 2011

[HEXUS]

Rumours suggest host of new products including a 7 inch iPad and iPods plus iPhone refresh.

Read more.

[dangel]

Makes sense - for one there's the crappy antennae problem and for two android phones are pushing up the specs are a remarkable rate (and even more so soon if rumours are to be believed). Apple's days of a yearly update are probably gone - it's far too long in the current market where new phones arrive seemingly each month.

The iPad will probably see similar competition with manus finally starting roll out tablets late in the year.

It's good stuff - If Apple are kept on their toes then they'll have to innovate rather than evolve which can only mean better gizmos for us punters.

[Funkstar]

It's good stuff - If Apple are kept on their toes then they'll have to innovate rather than evolve which can only mean better gizmos for us punters.

It will hurt them as well. Higher development costs as they won't have to shoot for a single handset a year, higher marketing costs, less anticipation and build up for the next revision. They aren't going to get that massive all media event with people standing in line for hours just to get the latest and greatest to nearly the same extent when people realise a newer one is going to be only a few months away.

Are Apple now going to maintain a range of hansets instead of just the headline latest version now?

Oh, and don't forget this: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/apple

[BobF64]

Indeed, its easy enough making your own schedule when you have either the sole, or vast majority. market position.

Once theres suitable competition, it becomes a game of one up man ship.

Of course, Apple could stick to their own schedule, but really, whatever they release would have to be truly revolutionary or spectacular each time.