Everything you need to know about the much awaited iPhone Mini

How do you like the idea of holding an iPhone, which is one third smaller in size than the current one and without a home button? And no, I am not talking about some cheap imitation of the real iPhone. This is about the iPhone, which is rumored to be released sometime soon. The smaller version of the iPhone is being referred to as iPhone Mini/iPhone Nano and is believed to be cheaper than iPhone 4, thus allowing it to compete directly with budget Android smartphones.

iPhone mini

Apple is one company, which is always in news, either for its new patents or for its innovative products. This time the news that has re-surfaced about the iPhone Mini has some truth and logic in it. And if what we are hearing is to be believed, then Apple's success is going a step further in spite of a strong competition from Android-based phones. Rumors are not the only thing in circulation right now; along with it there are views on whether iPhone mini a bad decision or a good one. One of the major complaints about the new iPhone is that the screen could be too small to be used comfortably. And if, Apple has created another screen resolution to address this issue, then things could complicate further. The reason behind this is that the new screen resolution could complicate the development of UI for the entire iOS platform leading to a system that will be quite similar to the Android fragmentation.

For whom:

The iPhone Mini will be available for all Apple fanboys and other's who what to see a different looking iPhone. iPhone Mini could be targeted at lower income individuals who are waiting for a cheaper iPhone they can afford. This strategy will definitely help Apple in expanding its market base even further.

Price and Availability

The new iPhone Mini is expected to be sold at a price of $200.

Why the hype?

Way back in 2007, when Apple first launched its iPhone, it made a mistake by pricing it very high. However, Apple soon realized its mistake and rectified it by dropping the prices and by offering refunds to early buyers. Even after reducing the prices, the product was out of reach of many. Despite this also iPhone was sold in millions, in all its versions. but Apple now needs to bring down the prices without compromising on its quality, given the fierce competition from Android phones and forthcoming Windows Phones. Hence, comes the iPhone Mini into picture, as it will be a low-cost device.

Functionality:

Picture Gallery

iPhone mini

Apple Works on Line of Less-Expensive iPhones

Tiny SIM Cards

Previously, there was a proposal from Apple for creating a standardized SIM card smaller than the ones that are used currently in the iPhone and iPad. This will help the company in making iDevices that are even more thinner.

Smaller and Thinner iOS Hardware

Now, if we take the liberty of joining two pieces of various rumors together then what we get is Apple's continued effort to minimize the footprint of iOS hardware.

Lighter, Half-Size, Edge-to-Edge Screen, No Home Button

Although iPhone Mini is meant to be sold alongside the existing iPhone 4, it will be almost half the size and probably with an all-touch Edge-to-Edge screen.

Wireless Syncing via iCloud

With the recently announced iCloud service at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), all existing iDevices will have the ability to sync the content stored on these devices wirelessly to the iCloud. iCloud is nothing but an overhaul of the earlier MobileMe Service. Thus, users will be able to store their favorite music, apps and more in the iCloud and can access it from anywhere at any time. Apart from wireless syncing, iCloud will also offer more space to store data and that too for free.

What's different?

It looks like Apple is trying to cut down the costs of iPhone Mini by removing the flash memory that is used for storage. The flash memory is one of the most expensive components of the iPhone and if it is removed, it will automatically bring down the overall production cost of the device. And the smaller iPhone can just have sufficient memory required for performing some basic tasks such as streaming media. The smaller sized iPhone Mini will also be a bit easy on your palm.

From the web?

It seems that Steve Jobs is looking forward to using lower prices to widen the iPhone's appeal and keep it from losing out to Android smartphones. Charlie Wolf, an analyst at Needham and Co. in New York, mentioned:

Apple would be targetting the entire 100 percent of the global mobile market instead of targeting just the 25 percent.