iPhone Nano Rumors Multiply: Edge-to-Edge Screen
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The rumors of a smaller, cheaper iPhone — affectionately known as the "iPhone Nano" — are getting more specific, with sources saying Apple's new iPhone will have an edge-to-edge screen.
The Wall Street Journal added to a previous report with information provided by another source. The new source added that the smaller iPhone would be "significantly lighter" than the iPhone 4. That's not particularly surprising because it is, after all, smaller than the iPhone 4.
The far more enticing news was regarding the edge-to-edge screen. The iPhone 4 bezel — the black border around the display — is already fairly thin, but the report indicates the smaller iPhone would run almost completely to the edge of the phone. Besides looking cool, such a design has the obvious benefit of preserving screen size while shrinking the entire device.
Another interesting tidbit about the iPhone Nano, which is apparently known by the codename N97 internally, may reveal other design changes. The smaller iPhone will supposedly have "voice-based navigation." Alone, this is just a minor feature, but in the context of previous rumors that Steve Jobs wants to do away with the Home button , it becomes much more meaningful.
An edge-to-edge screen could mean that there's no room left for a Home button (indeed the render above is based on the idea), so Apple would need to introduce other ways to take over Home button functions. Voice navigation is one way to do that.
The price and size rumors are constantly changing too. The latest information suggests that the iPhone Nano is half the size of the iPhone 4 (which seems excessive, but then again, HP just announced the credit card-size Veer ) and could be just $49 (on contract).
Traditionally, Apple announces new iPhones in June or July, so it will still be months before we hear anything more official.
